Urgent Irish recall of popular ice-cream amid safety concerns

Point-of-sale recall notices are to be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batches.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has issued a recall of a popular ice-cream sold in stores nationwide due to the presence of an unauthorised pesticide. A batch of Milka Vanilla and Chocolate Swirl ice-cream sticks was found to contain the presence of ethylene oxide, a chemical often used as a sterilising agent. The source of the chemical in the batch was identified as locust bean gum, an EU-approved food additive used as a thickening or gelling agent in the production of various food products, including the Milka ice-creams. While ethylene oxide is largely used to sterilise medical materials and instruments, it is not permitted for use in foods sold in the EU due to the risks from its toxicity. It is approved for use in food by some countries outside of the EU, which may lead to food being treated with it before it is exported to countries within the EU. In its recall notice, the FSAI said: "Although the consumption of the contaminated products does not pose an acute risk to health, there is an increased risk if there is continued consumption of ethylene oxide in contaminated food over a long period of time. Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised." The food authority added that point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batches, which have a best before date of April 2023 and a batch code of MI1096. The recall of the ice-cream comes alongside another recall of products found to contain traces of ethylene oxide. The FSAI was notified of Pukka Herbs UK's recall of several Organic Food Supplements, including ones for menopause and menstruation, due to the presence of the chemical.