Poisoned sesame seeds may still be on the market; why?!
Foodwatch, the independent consumer organization that advocates for the right to fair, safe and healthy food, recently reminded Dutch consumers that there is still a great deal wrong with the issue of poisoned sesame seeds. What’s going on?
You may remember: last September, various food products containing sesame seeds had to be recalled because the seeds had been contaminated with ethylene oxide. Foodwatch even reported, a day before the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority did so, that Albert Heijn, for example, was recalling its sesame bagels (there went our Sunday morning ritual). And what’s even more surprising? Today, more than five months later, the Netherlands appears to have a rather shaky policy when it comes to monitoring imported sesame seeds.
Remarkable standstill
Foodwatch states that the list of recalled products has not been updated since December 23, and that in total (from September through December 23) the NVWA issued only sixteen warnings to consumers about contaminated products.
Lagging behind
This is particularly strange because in Belgium and France, products are still being listed and recalled daily by the authorities. The French, who have already recalled 3,500 (!) food products, have also been checking 100% of incoming sesame seeds from India (which leads the way in using the toxic substance to ‘protect’ sesame seeds) for the presence of pesticide residues since the problems began.
And in the Netherlands? Here, it has been decided that the NVWA must test 50% of sesame seeds. So, Foodwatch also asks, does the other half simply get to ‘pass through’ and be used? How does that make sense?!
Nasty stuff
Because ethylene oxide really is extremely nasty stuff, Foodwatch explains, citing the European Commission’s assessment of it. Consumed in very small quantities, it does not pose an immediate major danger, “but the level of contamination we have faced in recent months constitutes ‘a serious risk to human health… ethylene oxide is classified as mutagenic, carcinogenic, or toxic to reproduction,’ according to the European Commission.”
The use of this disinfectant gas is therefore prohibited in Europe, but in agriculture in countries such as India it is freely used to remove other contaminants from crops. It seems that contamination with this substance is really much more serious than, for example, the bamboo tableware story, in which the NVWA already recommends no longer using it because it can cause stomach complaints.
Relentless fighters
As a food watchdog, Foodwatch is doing everything in its power to continue demanding clarity and consequences (with the aim of protecting the food safety you are entitled to) from the government and those responsible. We are grateful to them for their perseverance and wholeheartedly recommend that everyone continue to follow their work! For more information and frequently asked questions about the sesame seed scandal, visit the Foodwatch website.
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