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The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority ordered retail chain Billa to withdraw from the market fermented gherkins in which benzoic acid was found, specifically 356 mg in a kilogram of product. This acid is used as a preserving agent; however, the use of any preserving agents in lactic fermented products is prohibited.

Fermented gherkins (packaging: 500g, best before date: December 2007) were produced by the Polish company P.P.H.U. MASTERS and supplied to Billa stores in the Czech Republic also by the Polish company “Stefkar” spólka jawna malgrzata i Stefan Broniek in quantities of 7180 pieces. A total of 3280 pieces were withdrawn from the market; the rest has already been sold.

The CAIFIA sent notification about this product to the European Commission and to all EU Member States through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.