Have you ever heard of ethylene oxide? This molecule (which is also called “1,2-epoxyethane” or “oxirane” in scientific language) is used as a raw material in the chemical industry: it is more precisely a gas endowed with antibacterial properties, antivirals and antifungals, mainly used for the disinfection of hospital equipment and containers.
Problem: Ethylene oxide is toxic. This gas is thus classified as a “carcinogenic and mutagenic substance” by the European Union. It should be noted that in France, as explained inNational Research and Safety Institute (INRS), the use of ethylene oxide has been banned since August 2011. In the European Union, products must not contain more than 0.05 milligrams of ethylene oxide per kilo.
On September 9, 2020, the European Food Safety Monitoring Network (RASFF) sounded the alarm: some sesame seeds imported from India were allegedly contaminated with ethylene oxide – experts assume silos where the seeds are stored could have been sprayed with this toxic substance to prevent mold growth.
Contaminated sesame seeds: which products are affected?
Thus, certain batches of sesame seeds had ethylene oxide contents of up to 186 milligrams per kilo … “Such levels of contamination represent a serious risk to human health“according to the Official Journal of the European Union.
Following this warning, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) established a (long) list of the products concerned: these must not be consumed and must be brought back to where they are. have been purchased.
All stores (or almost) are concerned: thus, contaminated seeds were on sale at Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, Leader Price, Intermarché, Naturalia, Picard, La Vie Claire, Franprix, Monoprix, Leclerc, Système U, Lidl. .. The complete list of affected products is available. on the DGCCRF website.
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