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EU recalls Snickers ice cream with carcinogenic ingredients - only Germany remains inactive

2021-08-09T06:29:15.788Z


Large amounts of locust bean gum (E410) in the EU are contaminated. Several European countries have already recalled certain products - but consumers in Germany have not received any warning so far.


Large amounts of locust bean gum (E410) in the EU are contaminated.

Several European countries have already recalled certain products - but consumers in Germany have not received any warning so far.

Berlin - Several organizations, including the consumer association and Foodwatch, report that food has been contaminated with ethylene oxide.

It is an extremely flammable gas that is mainly used for disinfection in the food industry.

It can be poisonous for humans, it also has a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect.

The use of the substance is prohibited in the European Union.

Findings of the toxic substance in sesame seeds from India were already known in autumn 2020, now laboratory tests have also found ethylene oxide in carob flour, which is often used as a thickener and stabilizer in ice creams, jams, but also baked goods or meat products under the note E410.

The use of ethylene oxide has been banned in Germany since 1981, more on this in the video:

Ethylene Oxide Pollution: This product is currently affected

Specifically affected is the Snickers ice cream from Mars, which has already been withdrawn from the market in several countries - but is still available in Germany. Foodwatch reported on Friday. The European countries had already agreed in July to recall the affected products. According to Foodwatch, the product is no longer available in Austria, the Netherlands and France, in Germany it is still on the refrigerated shelves. The Mars group itself was active in Romania and Sweden, among others, and recalled the product there because of health risks. Although it has been clear for weeks that "products that contain ethylene oxide contaminated locust bean gum (E410) have to be publicly recalled, not a single warning has been received in Germany so far",it says in a petition from consumer advocates.

The following batch numbers are affected, some of which will continue to be sold in Germany:

Snickers Ice Cream, EAN Code: 5000159344074, best before 03/2023, batches 116E3DOE02 and 116D3DOE02


Snickers Ice Cream, EAN code: 5000159344074, best before 03/2023, batch 117B1DOE02

Foodwatch found both batches in random samples in supermarkets, once on July 29, 2021 at Edeka in Berlin and on August 4, 2021 at Rewe and Edeka in Berlin.

That's what the food association says

A special meeting of the “Food and Feed Crisis Coordinators” took place at the European level at the end of 2020. It was decided to take back certain goods and significantly increase controls on imports from countries such as India. "In the case of ice cream, based on the analysis results available to date for the stabilizer, it is assumed that the quantities of ethylene oxide are so small that they can no longer be determined analytically," writes the food association.

From the point of view of the German Food Association, a public recall should always be carried out for the specific product.

Products in which the content of the undesired substance can no longer be determined are therefore to be regarded as safe, the association continues.

In this context, the association also draws attention to the goal of reducing food waste.

That's why Foodwatch is calling for a recall

Foodwatch believes that the fact that no safe intake can be determined is the reason why all affected products should be withdrawn from the market as a precaution - even if residues can no longer be detected. Foodwatch therefore calls for a complete recall, "because even the smallest amounts of ethylene oxide can pose a health risk," said the consumer advocates. “It is unacceptable that Mars protects people in other countries better than in Germany. Mars owes the public an explanation why the products in Germany have not been recalled long ago, ”said Oliver Huizinga from Foodwatch to

Focus Online

.

The Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety has not yet published a warning about Snickers ice cream. There is currently only a warning about Mars GmbH on the portal: Certain batches of M&M Crispy with the best before date 23.1. or 30.1. could be contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), it says there. This news, which is also not very encouraging, has nothing to do with ethylene oxide.

Source: merkur

All life articles on 2021-08-09

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