FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY AUTHORITY NOTICE

In accordance with Chapter 649 of the Food Safety and Security Authority Act, and in line with the Authority's role to ensure transparency and public awareness on matters relating to food safety and security, the Authority hereby informs the public that following analysis of samples elevated during official controls by the Food Safety and Security Authority, the following product must not be consumed due to the presence of the unauthorised pesticide ethylene oxide.

Ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is not permitted for use in foods sold in the EU but is approved for use by other countries outside the EU. Although the consumption of the contaminated product does not pose an acute risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide in contaminated food over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised.

Consumers are advised not to consume the implicated product and either dispose of it or return it to the store from which it was purchased.

For further information, the public may contact the Food Safety and Security Authority on telephone number +356 26025000 from Monday to Friday between 08:00 a.m. and 03:00 p.m. or send an email to info.fssa@gov.mt.