To get many of the ice creams that we usually take it is necessary to use a stabilizer called E410. The problem is that if this oxide becomes contaminated, its commercialization must be stopped before it becomes dangerous. And this is what has happened. Do you want to know which brands could have been harmed and what was the real reason for the ice cream alert? Continue reading.
Ethylene oxide, the culprit of the ice cream alert
The E410, also known as carob rust, has been contaminated with ethylene oxide, a residue that can be harmful to our health. This has caused a health alert in which several supermarket chains have been involved. As well as the popular brands Nestlé y Mars.
The organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) echoed a few days ago of the commercialization in different countries, among them Spain, from contaminated ice cream. He also recalled that ethylene oxide is a substance classified as "mutagenic, carcinogenic and toxic." So you have to avoid consuming it.
Long-term exposure to small amounts of ethylene oxide can cause eye irritation, skin burns, brain problems and nervous system failure. In addition, large-scale studies on workers exposed to ethylene oxide have seen an increase in leukemia, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and Hodgkin's disease.
In the same way, this substance can be detected in our body through a blood test or urinalysis. Although it disappears completely from the human body after two or three days.
What are the contaminated products from Mars?
Global food manufacturer Mars has already recalled several batches of ice cream from its brands M & M's, Snickers and Twix due to the aforementioned contamination by this harmful oxide.
Specifically eight types of their 63g M & M's Chocolate ice cream sticks (Multipack x 4); M & M's 62g Stick Peanut (Multipack x 4); M & M's Peanut stick 62g; 48g Snickers Bar (Multipack x 6); Snickers Xtra 66g bar; Twix stick 40g; Twix bar of 34,2g (Multipack 6) and Twix Xtra bar of 47g.
How has the ice cream alert affected Nestlé?
Nestlé has had to withdraw at least 46 varieties of its ice creams which supposes some losses for the brand. This has happened after its manufacturer, Froneri, published a notice on its website.
In it he explained that they received the alert on accidental contamination of said ingredient supplied by one of their suppliers and that they were quickly withdrawing all the affected batches from the points of sale.
More brands affected
Mars and Nestlé have not been the only ones affected. Others like Milka, Toblerone, Nuii, Oreo, Princesa, La Lechera and Smarties they have also suffered from the problem. However, it is noted that the list is not necessarily complete. It is part of the withdrawal alerts from the commercialization of Froneri / Nestlé products disseminated internally by the chains Carrefour, Day y Covran.
Likewise, Nestlé has made available to all a search engine to be able to check if our product could have been affected. An effective solution that will be temporary until all contaminated batches are removed.
Likewise, the brand IFA You Choose, of the IFA Group and manufactured by the Froneri company, has joined the food alert. Its contaminated products are the IFA Eliges 6 units of cream and strawberry cones, 120 grams, the IFA Eliges dark chocolate bonbon 4 units 120 grams, the IFA Eliges classic black chocolate 4 units 120 grams and the IFA Eliges 4 units 120 grams almond bonbon.
Despite the health alert, it is important to remember that ethylene oxide it is only really harmful to us in large quantities. In addition, brands are already taking care of removing all their contaminated products so there is no reason to worry. Have you heard of ethylene oxide before? Are you surprised that these types of incidents occur in the food industries?
