Become a member

News

News / Technical

FSAI ADVISES ON WITHDRAWAL OF SOME FOOD CONTAINING LOCUST BEAN GUM (E410) DUE TO ETHYLENE OXIDE CONTAMINATION

Following the identification of ethylene oxide contamination of the additive locust bean gum (E410) in some food products in Europe, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), in line with other EU Member States is undertaking a precautionary withdrawal of implicated food products.

Locust bean gum is a vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the Carob tree. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU where it is used mainly as a thickening agent or stabiliser. It is approved for use in a range of foods including ice-cream, breakfast cereals, meat products, confectionery, follow on formulae, fine bakery wares, fermented milk products and cheese.

The consumption of foods containing ethylene oxide does not pose an acute risk to health, but there is an increased health risk if foods contaminated with ethylene oxide are consumed over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised and contaminated product must be removed from the market.

The FSAI is working with the EU Commission and its Member States in relation to this issue. Similar withdrawals are being carried out across Europe where contaminated product has been identified. The FSAI is also working with its official agencies in relation to the identification of the contaminated additive (E410) that may have been supplied to businesses or food manufacturers in Ireland.

The FSAI will provide updates as and when available, it will also list affected food products as identified on its website.

For more information, please see our Q&A and the website of the European Commission.

Articles over 1 year old See Technical News Archive
Member Benefits

Exclusive Partnership deals on key products and services:

  • BFFF energy deals and rates
  • Vypr member deals and introduction
  • Defib Plus deals
  • Company Shop – membership
  • Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

  • Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
  • Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
  • Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
  • Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
  • Annual Lunch
  • Awards Night
Upcoming Events More Events
Sponsorship Packages

We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

Contact Us
British Frozen Food Federation Members Logo
what our members say...
  • Wakefield Council

    “What an amazing piece of work and indicative of how BFFF respond to the concerns of their members and make an impact on the whole industry sector.”

    See Full Quote

  • Sysco

    “You guys really ‘Do The Right Thing’ for the good of the industry”

    See Full Quote

  • Darta

    “The BFFF awards night is becoming an “appointment not to miss” on our calendar and we again enjoyed it immensely together with lots of well-known people from our industry. The…

    See Full Quote

  • Kantar Worldpanel

    “The Business Conference was an excellent day that was very well organised and allowed so many likeminded individuals in the room to learn so much more around the Frozen industry….

    See Full Quote

  • Lakeside Food Group Ltd

    “This Not For EU labelling situation alarmed us and quickly became a major worry to our business. These are times when you really rely on some support and from previous…

    See Full Quote

  • Meadow Vale Foods Limited

    “We had a few questions with respect to the new EPR waste packaging legislative changes. I know some of my colleagues have been assisted by BFFF in the past so…

    See Full Quote

  • Newberry International Produce Ltd

    “I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding event you organised. I have only worked in this sector for the past nineteen months coming from twenty-five years…

    See Full Quote

  • Place UK Ltd

    “The BFFF 2024 Conference was compelling and thought provoking, with a many relevant and interesting topics covered at great pace and some depth by excellent speakers – will certainly attend…

    See Full Quote

  • Roswel Spedition GMBH

    “Thank you and the team for rushing around so brilliantly before, during and after the conference. It was pleasure to be part of the conference.”

    See Full Quote

  • Seara

    “The event was great, in my opinion. Not only it was very well organised, but the venue and the catering were excellent too. Furthermore, the content of the presentations was…

    See Full Quote

Website Designed & Built by we are CODA