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 ensure that defective products have already been removed.

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 neighboring countries, urged food companies to withdraw from the market all products made with E410 – locust bean gum or carob, a food additive contaminated with ethylene oxide. Specifically, it was found in the manufacture of ice cream , since the additive is used as a stabilizer.

This substance is a chemical that has been banned in the European Union since 1991 as a pesticide and since 2011 its use is banned as a product for the protection of food and feed. However, it is still authorized for the disinfection of medical equipment. It is “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 withdraw from the marketing chain all the products allegedly affected. However, the markings have not been released. 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 home those ice creams suspected of containing residues of this substance, just as it has already been done in France.

In addition, the organization understands that as the stabilizers used in the manufacture of ice cream are usually 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 consumer rights.

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 posed by the presence of ethylene oxide residues in food. In fact, it is an alert that began to be detected from September 2020. However, the ethylene oxide snow detected in some batches of the additive E410, which have been used for the manufacture of food, is very low and is below the limit. legal 0.02 mg / kg.

Likewise, AESAN ensures that not all batches of the E410 additive were contaminated, that the food contaminated with ethylene oxide has 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 lots from the market and reinforcing the control measures guarantee a null exposure of this substance in the future, constituting very effective risk management measures in order to guarantee food safety”, explains AESAN. “We are in contact with food companies in which products containing ethylene oxide residues have been manufactured or distributed, in order to inform them about the affected products,” he adds.