The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority ordered to withdraw product with trade name “ENSA PÍNIOVOVÉ JADRÁ” (ENSA PINE NUTS) from circulation. These pine nuts were detected in retail and cause, when consumed, so-called „pine mouth syndrome“, bitter taste in mouth which may last several days.

Non-complying pine kernels originated in Pakistan were packaged in company ENCINGER, spol. s r. o., based in Slovakia, and then distributed to the CR. Withdrawal concerns foodstuff “ENSA PÍNIOVOVÉ JADRÁ, CZ: Piniové jádra”, lot L51000219C, best before date 19.08.2011, ŕ 50 g.

Under normal circumstances, these pine nuts have sweetish resin taste. However, few hours after their consumption, consumers start to feel strange and uncomfortable perceptions causing the “pine mouth syndrome”. Bitter metal taste in mouth is intensified during consumption of other meals and beverages, in particular sweet ones. The symptoms may last more than 14 days.

With regard to the best before date, consumers may still have these products at home. Negative effects of poor quality pine nuts on human health was not proved, however, CAFIA does not recommend their consumption.

Information on the product was forwarded to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), which notifies of non-complying goods also the other Member States of the European Union.