Food

This section contains information on foodstuffs and food control. The purpose of food control is to ensure the health and economic safety of the consumers.

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Comprehensive information package about food contaminants

04.02.2010 - 10:12 - ”The chemical contaminants of foodstuffs and household water” is a thorough report of about 40 contaminants, which cover in a comprehensive manner the entire production chain of foodstuffs. The renewed report has been published in the publication series of Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira and can also be read in the Evira.fi web service. The report describes the occurrence of contaminants in foodstuffs, studies on the contaminants and their intake estimates, their adverse health effects and the most important food control needs. The report serves both various authorities and researchers, and consumers interested in the topic.

Pesticide residue control efforts focused in 2008 particularly on products imported from Thailand

28.01.2010 - 09:41 - Similar levels of pesticide residues were found in foodstuffs of plant origin in 2008 as in previous years. The majority (94%) of the analysed products conformed to regulations. Products imported from Thailand, in particular, showed residue levels in excess of the permitted maximum amounts.

Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira recommends thorough heating of foreign frozen raspberries

08.10.2009 - 17:46 - Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira recommends thorough heating of foreign frozen raspberries New norovirus epidemics have occurred again in southern Finland at the beginning of October. Polish frozen raspberries are suspected to have caused the epidemics. Viral analyses of the raspberries have been started and the suspected lot has been withdrawn from the market. Norovirus epidemics occurred in different parts of the country also in May-June, and analyses confirmed Polish frozen raspberries to be the cause. Raspberries had been used in desserts and cakes without heating.

Food supplements contain Pueraria mirifica plant classified as novel food

08.10.2009 - 09:41 - Food supplements containing Pueraria mirifica plant have been marketed in several online stores on the Internet. However, the authorisation referred to in the Novel Food Regulation has not been applied for these products and their marketing is therefore not allowed in the EU.

New EU FISH II Project to study variations in contents of environmental contaminants in Baltic fish

31.08.2009 - 09:51 - Contents of environmental contaminants in Baltic fish will be studied for the second time in the 2000s. The previous survey was made from 2002 to 2003. Based on results from the project it will be confirmed whether to modify current recommendations to consumers regarding the intake of fish. In addition, new and comparative data on the contents of hazardous substances in fish will be gathered to benefit EU legislative work.

Product defects and recalls

Sulphites in Fig Vincotto Vinegar: The labelling on the packaging does not display that the product contains sulphites and the quantity of sulphites exceeds the permitted level

07.08.2009 - 10:14 - Stockmann Oyj is withdrawing the product Fig Vincotto Vinegar from the market. The product contains sulphites exceeding the permitted maximum level and the product label fails to mention the presence of an additive containing sulphite or sulphur dioxide. The product may result in symptoms for those who are allergic to sulphite or sulphur dioxide.

INCORRECT PRODUCT INFORMATION: Semolina pudding packaging containing wheat gluten marked “gluten free”

05.08.2009 - 15:09 - The semolina pudding packaging was marked as gluten free even though the product contains wheat gluten. The product in itself is harmless, but is not suitable for those with celiac disease.