If you had purchased flour recently, please check references. In effect, batches of buckwheat flour are subject to a product recall. All the details in this article.
A potential risk to your health
Buckwheat flour is often used to prepare recipes such as full Breton pancakes. Unlike normal wheat flour, this type of flour does not contain gluten.
Buckwheat flour or buckwheat flour is a great alternative, but some only use it to complement certain recipes. Japanese soba noodles, for example, are often 100% made with buckwheatsometimes mixed with wheat flour.
The product recall campaign began on Wednesday September 14th. The production brand launched the alert following product analysis. According to the product recall, the affected buckwheat flour contains a higher than normal ochratoxin A (Ota) level.
As a reminder, ochratoxins are containers of buckwheat flour. They are metabolites of molds that belong to the genera Aspergillus or Penicillium. Their presence depends on the climate when harvestingbut also storage conditions.
They are mostly found on cereals. What is alarming about the presence of too much ochratoxin A is its nephrotoxic nature. In other words, it can constitute big risks on health by attacking the kidneys.
Furthermore, the Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (NEB) is the name of a kidney disorder that ochratoxin A can cause in humans.
Product recall: references to check
The product was in supermarket shelves between August 22 and September 13, 2022. It took remove them quickly because of this product recall. The buckwheat flour in question is that of the Biocoop brand.
You should know that the product recall procedure will end on October 13. Consumers have until that date to return it to the store. They could obtain reimbursement.
The withdrawal from sale of T130 buckwheat flour concerns batches 290822 Fsat130S1 – 214. They have a minimum durability date set at August 29, 2023. Note that the product was on the shelves of all distributors of the Biocoop brand in France.
#ProductRecall
Buckwheat flour T130 – BIOCOOPRisks: Other biological contaminants
Reason: Following analysis, the level of ochratoxin A (OTA) is higher than the regulations in force.https://t.co/HuRDHnUkIO pic.twitter.com/TsfZlLqdTC
— Consum Reminder (@Consum Reminder) September 14, 2022
Furthermore, the Biologiquement brand is sounding the alarm some products derived from artemisia annua. Artemisia annua powder 100 gr is one of them. It was marketed between January 1, 2022 and July 20, 2022.
The product recall concerns all batches with the GTIN code 3770015526532. The health risk has not been determined, but Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283 does not allow the consumption of the product.
The same is true for Artemisia Annua Herbal Tea and Artemisia Annua Capsules of the same brand. These products were sold throughout France. If you have any questions, please attach the contact number 06 52 86 68 44.
Product recall: why are there so many?
You have surely noticed the many waves of product recalls who never end. Since 2021, the government site has indicated nearly 400 product recalls per month. The government website Rappel Conso has been accessible since April 1, 2021.
These recalls are primarily for consumer protection. Production brands that do not report recalls will be sanctioned. The law will punish them with a fine of up to 1,500 euros per undeclared product.
Professionals then have the obligation to update their declaration by communicating them on the site. This procedure is a decision of the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention.
The opening of the government site facilitates access to product recalls for consumers. By being aware of the references to monitor, they will avoid any health risk.
Food poisoning due to certain bacteria is the most serious. Be aware that recalls are not just about products food. Customers are alerted to all references likely to endanger consumers.
These can be all products intended for the general public such as hygiene of beauty. Only drugs are not on the government site. The latter are declared to the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM).