Ice creams being tested for pesticide linked to cancer, none detected: SFA
SINGAPORE — Ethylene oxide, a pesticide linked to cancer, has not been detected in ice cream products sold in Singapore, including those by popular brand Häagen-Dazs, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
The SFA said in a statement last Friday (19 August) that it is currently conducting sampling and testing of Häagen-Dazs products and other similar products in Singapore.
Should ethylene oxide be detected beyond trace levels, SFA will initiate recalls of the affected products as a precautionary measure, it added.
Since June, Häagen-Dazs products imported from France into Singapore, such as vanilla ice cream sold in 9.46-litre tubs, pint cups, and Classic Collection Mini Cups, have been recalled by SFA.
This came after imported batches were similarly recalled by Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Malaysian and Australian authorities.
Ethylene oxide can be used to fumigate agricultural products to prevent microbial contamination. Traces of the pesticide in fumigated locust gum and vanilla pods, both agricultural products, may carry into the finished ice cream products, said SFA.
Vanilla, for flavouring, and locust gum, as thickener and stabiliser, may be used in very small quantities of less than one per cent in the production of ice cream.
"The consumption of such ice cream products with trace amounts of ethylene oxide do not present any health risk, as it is not a food product that is consumed by individuals regularly and in significant quantities," said SFA.
"Nonetheless, SFA has taken a precautionary approach in recalling food products detected with ethylene oxide that have been recalled by some overseas regulators."
SFA has started reviewing the permitted level of ethylene oxide in food products sold in Singapore, as part of a regular review of food standards, it added.
Currently, the pesticide is used only in the sterilisation of spices under the Singapore Food Regulations.
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