Concerns are growing after a flurry of seed-based food products were taken off the shelves of Irish shops due to the presence of a pesticide that can be harmful to people's health.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued three recall or withdrawal notices on seed-based products in the last week alone – all as a result of the presence of the pesticide ethylene oxide.
The presence of the pesticide – which does not pose an immediate risk – has been deemed serious enough for Lidl Ireland to take batches of Crownfield Hazelnut Muesli Bars off its shelves.
And popular Happy Pear products have also been recalled after they were found to contain the same substance, which is not authorised for use in foods sold in the European Union.
An FSAI notice said last week that certain batches of Happy Pear Seedie Cookie Bites and Sally's Seedy Cookies were being recalled as a result of the pesticide's presence.
Functional Fitness and Nutrition Ltd is recalling a batch of organic sesame seeds – as well as its Organic Omega Seed Mix – after they too were found to contain ethylene oxide.
The FSAI says that while the consumption of the pesticide "does not pose an immediate risk to health, there may be health issues if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide over a long period of time.
"Therefore, exposure to this substance must be minimised."
The sesame seeds recalled or withdrawn have their origins in three different countries – Germany, India and here in Ireland.
The sesame seeds and seed mix marketed by Functional Fitness and Nutrition were sold loose at the Source Bulk Foods, a health shop in Rathmines, where a point-of-sale recall notice is on display.
Stores supplied with the implicated Happy Pear batches will also display point-of-sale recall notices.
