Do not eat this product: Health Directorate

In accordance with the Food Safety Act and Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health wishes to inform the public that from information received through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed said products must not be consumed since they are contaminated with Ethylene oxide.

Product names:Chicken Spices Black pepper (seeds) 
Brand:Abido Spices
Weight :50g
Dates: Chicken Spices (Expiry 17/03/2023; lot 5254) Black pepper (seeds) (Expiry 26/01/2023; lot 5198)


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 immediate risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of this chemical in contaminated foods over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised as much as possible.  This recall is also in line with common approach agreed Member States at https://ec.europa.eu/food/system/files/2021-07/rasff_ethylene-oxide-incident_e410_crisis-coord_sum.pdf.
 
For further information, the public is kindly requested to contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 8:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on telephone number 21337333 or by email mhi@gov.mt.  The public is also being invited to access the Directorate’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Environmental-Health-Directorate-Malta/145027878928626?ref=hl  or our official website at for similar information. https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/environmental/Pages/Home-Page.aspx.