EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) Report: Week 15, 2024

The European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety within its member states. In the 15th week of 2024, RASFF reported 15 cases concerning Chinese food and related products. This article provides an overview of the specific notifications issued by RASFF and highlights the importance of adhering to international food safety standards.

The RASFF notifications for Week 15, 2024, are as follows:

1. Country: Finland

• Product: Pumpkin Seeds
• Notification Number: 2024.2749
• Reason: Presence of isopropylthioxanthone (0.041 mg/kg)
• Action Taken: Not distributed in the notifying country/official detention
• Notification Type: Border rejection

2. Country: Italy

• Product: Instant Noodles
• Notification Number: 2024.2764
• Reason: Suspected illegal import (detection of pork, beef, and chicken DNA)
• Action Taken: Only distributed within the notifying country/official detention and recall from recipient
• Notification Type: Information

3. Country: France

• Product: Roasted Peanuts
• Notification Number: 2024.2772
• Reason: Excessive aflatoxin contamination
• Action Taken: Not distributed in the notifying country/official notification to authorities; withdrawal from the market
• Notification Type: Warning

4. Country: Poland

• Product: Lollipops
• Notification Number: 2024.2791
• Reason: Presence of potentially hazardous undisclosed chemical substances in plastic sticks
• Action Taken: Not distributed in the notifying country/notification to authorities
• Notification Type: Warning

5. Country: Slovakia

• Product: Fruit Flavored Lollipops
• Notification Number: 2024.2830
• Reason: Presence of undeclared colorants - Ponceau 4R (E 124) and Sunset Yellow (E 110)
• Action Taken: Only distributed within the notifying country/recall from recipient
• Notification Type: Follow-up information

6. Country: Belgium

• Product: Egg Products
• Notification Number: 2024.2863
• Reason: Not subjected to veterinary import controls
• Action Taken: Distributed to other member states/ongoing information
• Notification Type: Follow-up information

7. Country: Italy

• Product: Blue Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves (Food Contact Material)
• Notification Number: 2024.2893
• Reason: Overall migration level too high
• Action Taken: Product not yet on the market/seizure
• Notification Type: Border rejection

8. Country: Italy

• Product: Instant Noodles
• Notification Number: 2024.2927
• Reason: Undeclared allergens (lactose and beta-lactoglobulin)
• Action Taken: Only distributed within the notifying country/official detention, recall from consumers, and recall from recipient
• Notification Type: Information

9. Country: Italy

• Product: Instant Noodles
• Notification Number: 2024.2930
• Reason: Undeclared allergen (crustaceans)
• Action Taken: Only distributed within the notifying country/official detention, recall from consumers, and recall from recipient
• Notification Type: Information

10. Country: Italy

• Product: Snacks
• Notification Number: 2024.2933
• Reason: Undeclared allergen (mollusks)
• Action Taken: Product not yet on the market/official detention; intensified inspections
• Notification Type: Border rejection

11. Country: Netherlands

• Product: Soup Mix
• Notification Number: 2024.2957
• Reason: Benzo(a)pyrene (15 µg/kg); Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (123 µg/kg)
• Action Taken: Distributed to other member states/notification to recipient; notification to sender; withdrawal from the market
• Notification Type: Warning

12. Country: Ireland

• Product: Nylon Whisk
• Notification Number: 2024.2964
• Reason: Migration of primary aromatic amines (0.013 ± 0.0003 mg/kg)
• Action Taken: Not distributed in the notifying country/official detention
• Notification Type: Border rejection

13. Country: France

• Product: Paper Plates
• Notification Number: 2024.2976
• Reason: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (0.5 mg/kg); Bis(isobutyl) phthalate (0.42 mg/kg)
• Action Taken: Not distributed in the notifying country/recall from consumers
• Notification Type: Warning

14. Country: Belgium

• Product: Pancake spatula
• Notification number: 2024.2977
• Reason: Primary aromatic amine migration
• Action Taken: Not distributed/notified to market
• Notification Type: Follow-up information to be communicated

15. Country: Poland

• Product: Nylon kitchen utensils
• Notification number: 2024.2978
• Reason: Primary aromatic amine migration (0.070±0.011; 0.100±0.016 mg/kg)
• Action Taken: Restricted to notified country distribution/notified authorities
• Notification Type: Warning notification