EU Tightens Controls On Baby Food Ingredient

BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Bernama-dpa) -- Following a scandal involving contaminated baby food, the European Union (EU) is tightening import controls on arachidonic acid oil, an ingredient from China, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Starting on Thursday, every second shipment of arachidonic acid oil from China will be tested for the toxin cereulide, according to a decision published in the EU Official Journal on Wednesday.

The toxin cereulide has led to worldwide recalls of baby food, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Cereulide is a toxin produced by bacteria that can cause sudden nausea, vomiting and stomach pain 30 minutes to six hours after it is ingested.

According to the notice in the Official Journal, it has been found that the contamination with the toxin is due to arachidonic acid oil from China, which was used in the production process.

The EFSA had previously carried out a risk assessment and has now set a safety guideline for the permissible amount of cereulide in baby food for the first time.

Back in January, food companies Danone and Nestlé recalled several batches of their baby food in Germany. Various powders and liquids in tins, boxes and bottles were affected.

At the time, Nestlé clarified: "It is important to us to stress that no illnesses or symptoms related to the consumption of the affected products have been confirmed to date."

--BERNAMA-dpa