The DGAV (General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine) this morning alerted the public to the possibility of locust bean gum contaminated with a carcinogenic pesticide having been used in foodstuffs, such as ice cream currently on the market, which poses a serious risk to health.
In a statement, the General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Medicine (DGAV) explains that, in June, some foodstuffs (ice cream) made with locust bean gum were identified and notified through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) (food additive E 410) contaminated with ethylene oxide.
“This contamination, which was initially considered to be localized and confined to a batch of E410, is apparently widespread throughout Europe, so the Commission and member states have decided to take a harmonized position,” he added.
In the note, the DGAV informs that ethylene oxide is an unauthorized pesticide and "constitutes a serious risk to human health", since it "is classified as mutagen category 1B, carcinogen category 1B and toxic for the reproduction of category 1B”.
Taking into account its health effects, member states concluded that for products containing the additive E 410 contaminated with ethylene oxide, "it is not possible to define a safe level of exposure for consumers", which means that exposure to any content poses a potential risk.
To ensure a high level of consumer health protection, DGAV says that products containing the additive E410 contaminated with ethylene oxide must be withdrawn and recalled from the market and that operators must inform the authorities of all products in which the contaminated locust bean gum has been used, so as to ensure they are removed from the market.
What do do if you are concerned...
The DGAV does not reveal the origin of the contaminated locust bean gum. However, it guarantees that it was not produced in European countries. In other words, you can buy cookies or other products made with carob gum produced in Portugal or Europe.
If you're worried, you can look at the ingredients list. Locust bean gum appears in writing as "locust bean gum" or with the number ( E410 ).
However, not all products with locust bean gum - a thickener and stabilizer for food products - are contaminated. Therefore, there are two ways to find out if you have one of these products:
- ► You can call the customer support line of the company that sells the product. The contact details are available on the package;
- ► You can go to the commercial establishment where you bought it, who will also be able to inform you if the product belongs or not to a contaminated batch.
Original article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/
