More contaminated maize meal products withdrawn from sale
Friday 26 September 2003
Ten maize meal products have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale in the UK after tests showed that they contained high levels of toxins called fumonisins. These naturally occurring chemicals are produced by a mould that can grow on maize in the field.
High levels of fumonisins have been shown to cause liver and kidney damage in animals after they have eaten them over a long period.
It is possible that they could have the same effect on people if they eat high levels of fumonisins for long periods.
Thirty maize meal products were tested after two earlier samples of maize meal were found to contain high levels of fumonisins during a wider study of these toxins in maize-based products.
The results so far from this wider survey show much lower levels of fumonisins in other maize-based products such as tortillas and breakfast cereals.
Suppliers of maize meal have been asked by the Agency to test their products to make sure they do not contain unacceptable levels of these toxins.
Retailers and importers of the affected products have voluntarily withdrawn them from sale. The Agency has notified the European Commission (EC), which is liaising with other countries in Europe.
While there is currently no limit for fumonisins in food, the EC has proposed a limit of 500 micrograms per kilogram in all maize-based foods.
The levels found in the 10 samples which have been withdrawn are above that proposed by the EC.
However, there is unlikely to be any significant risk to health if these products are consumed.
