The presence of ethylene oxide in an additive used to make ice cream has set off food alarms in Europe. However, the authorities have not clarified which batches of ice cream are affected. However, they assure that the defective products have already been withdrawn.
What is ethylene oxide and when did the alarm go off?
The alert jumped at the end of June when the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), in line with the surrounding countries, urged food companies to withdraw from the market all products made with E410 – locust bean or locust bean gum, a food additive contaminated with ethylene oxide. Specifically, , since the additive is used as a stabilizer.
This substance is a chemical that has been prohibited in the European Union since 1991 as a pesticide and since 2011 its use has been prohibited as a product for the protection of food and feed. However, it is still authorized for the disinfection of medical equipment. It is an “extremely flammable” and “toxic” gas, ethylene oxide can “cause cancer” and induce “genetic abnormalities”, according to the toxicological profile established by the National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS).
Which ice creams are affected by the presence of ethylene oxide
AESAN, on behalf of the European Commission, asked the food companies to remove all the products allegedly affected from the marketing chain. However, the brands have not been disclosed. Thus, the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has insisted that the Ministry of Consumption clarify the batches of ice cream affected by contamination, so that consumers can also remove from their homes those ice creams suspected of containing residues of this substance, as has already been done in France.
In addition, the organization understands that since the stabilizers used in the manufacture of ice cream are often also used in other types of food, such as dairy desserts and sauces, it should be checked if it has been able to reach other types of products. And remember that access to clear and transparent information is one of the basic rights of the consumer.
What is the risk of ethylene oxide detected in ice cream
The latest AESAN statement, published on Thursday, shares the concern of consumers about the problem caused by the presence of ethylene oxide residues in food. In fact, it is an alert that began to be detected since September 2020. However, the ethylene oxide levels detected in some batches of the E410 additive, which have been used to manufacture food, are very low and are below the limit legal 0.02 mg/kg.
Likewise, AESAN ensures that not all batches of the E410 additive were contaminated, that foods contaminated with ethylene oxide have been withdrawn from the market and that, therefore, the products that are on the market are safe and comply with current legislation.
“The actions aimed at withdrawing the affected batches from the market and reinforcing control measures guarantee zero exposure to this substance in the future, constituting very effective risk management measures in order to guarantee food safety,” explains AESAN. “We are in contact with the food companies in which products with ethylene oxide residues have been manufactured or distributed, so that they report on the affected products,” he adds.