Duck, shirt, toy - where health risks lurk
Possible health risks and cases of consumer deception have been identified during inspections of various products in Germany. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) presented the results of official food monitoring in 2022 in Berlin on Tuesday. An overview:
A high proportion of samples of duck meat were found to contain germs that can cause diarrhea, for example. At around 61 percent, the detection rate for Campylobacter on fresh duck was significantly higher than on fresh chicken meat (46 percent) and turkey meat (around 11 percent). These are bacteria from the digestive tract of animals that can get onto the meat during slaughter. Campylobacter is the most common bacterial diarrhea pathogen in this country. The meat should only be eaten well cooked and, as with poultry, strict kitchen hygiene is generally necessary. The inspectors found salmonella much less frequently, in only around five percent of duck meat samples.
Carcinogenic substances in toys
It is probably inevitable that cardboard toys end up in the mouths of small children. The focus is therefore on certain substances that belong to the group of chloropropanols and are classified as carcinogenic or possibly carcinogenic. Almost 100 picture books and almost 70 large puzzles were tested to determine the extent to which such substances can be released through intensive oral contact. Some products for under-threes massively exceeded the assessment values - BVL President Friedel Cramer considers this to be "absolutely unacceptable". Manufacturers and retailers are called upon to act. More than 80 percent of books and puzzles complied with the values - which shows that the problem is avoidable.
Olives: Loose black and blackened olives from retailers were tested for listeria. Some samples were extremely highly contaminated, said Andrea Luger, Head of the Food Safety Department at the BVL. Almost two percent of the approximately 360 samples contained germs that pose a potential health risk, she said. As olives are usually eaten raw, the BVL advises sensitive groups such as pregnant women, immunocompromised persons and senior citizens to avoid loose, blackened olives. Listeriosis is a dangerous disease. It can lead to meningitis and blood poisoning, and affected pregnant women can suffer miscarriages and stillbirths.
Wrinkle-free, but carcinogenic
Non-iron fashion: Formaldehyde resins are added to some fibers to keep shirts and blouses as wrinkle-free as possible. When worn, formaldehyde can be released through body heat and evaporation - "a substance that is probably carcinogenic and can cause allergic skin reactions", it said. Almost six percent of the 190 or so samples exceeded the specified concentration limit, and formaldehyde was detectable in around 45 percent. The experts' recommendation: always wash such garments thoroughly before wearing them for the first time.
Cuttlefish rings are sometimes less of a health hazard than cases of deception. These often contain too much breading, according to one inspection result. A total of 205 squid products were tested. Around one in three products had too much breading: in other words, the proportion of cheap coating was more than 60 percent. In some cases, there was also incorrect labeling, according to the report. For example, there are products where the rings are not made by cutting tubes crosswise. In some cases, they are formed from finely chopped squid and a binding agent.
Online menus: People with allergies in particular should be careful when ordering. The information on allergens such as wheat, egg or milk online is often still inadequate. Last year, the authorities found violations of allergen labeling in one in two of the around 1270 establishments inspected, for example in pizza, pasta, bread, mayonnaise and cream sauces. Infringements relating to the declaration of additives were also frequent.
- The hospitality industry should be aware of potential health risks associated with certain foods, as a study found that around 1 in 2 establishments had inadequate allergen labeling last year.
- Consumers should be cautious when buying toys made of cardboard, as a report showed that some products for children under three contained carcinogenic substances in excess of the assessment values.
- Science has found that non-iron fashion items, such as shirts and blouses, often contain formaldehyde resins to keep them wrinkle-free. This substance, which is classified as probably carcinogenic, can be released through body heat and evaporation.
- In the clothing industry, consumers may be surprised to learn that certain clothing items, like children's clothes made from polyester, may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, which can be harmful to children's health and development.
Source: www.dpa.com
