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CAFIA has ordered to withdraw bitter pine nuts

07/01/2011
 
Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority has ordered to withdraw from circulation some batches of products that contained pine nuts. According to the inspectors´ findings, their consumption caused so-called "pine mouth syndrome",i.e. taste disturbance that can last for several days or weeks after consumption.
Non-complying pine kernels originating from China have been packed in the Czech Republic and distributed by companies POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s. and VEGA PROVITA. Below you will find further description of the products:
Trade name:
Best before date:
Package weight:
Producer:
Pine nuts
30.4.2012
50g     
VEGA PROVITA, s.r.o.
Pine nuts
27.6.2011, 28.7.2011, 7.9.2011, 10.11.2011, 15.12.2011, 18.1.2012, 25.2.2012
3x100g
POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s.           
Mixture of seeds
5.3.2011, 6.7.2011, 3.8.2011, 2.11.2011, 23.11.2011, 2.12.2011, 9.12.2011, 11.1.2012
100g
POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s
Pine
8.11.2011
500g
POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s
Pine
6.7.2011
50g
POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s
Pine nuts
4.8.2011
250 g
POEX Velké Meziříčí a.s
Under normal circumstances, these seeds, called as „pine nuts“ or „pignoli“ have sweet, resin-like taste. They are consumed raw or roasted, being added to confectionery products, stuffing and sauces and are also used as ingredients in favourite Italian pesto.
Some consumers encounter unpleasant and bitter taste (the “pine mouth syndrome”) that appears after ingestion. This usually doesn´t occur immediately but with some delay. Bitter metallic taste intensifies after some food and drinks, particularly sweet ones. Current findings indicate that there is a change of taste already after consumption of 10-15 seeds. Symptoms further intensify during the second and third day after ingestion, between 5th and 14th day they gradually disappear.
The exact cause and the mechanism of this phenomenon are not known yet. The seeds or mixture of seeds being examined by laboratory analyses indicate presence of Pinus armandi or Pinus massoniana  instead of usually edible species of Pinus pinea, P. sibirica, P. koraiensis, P. gerardiana  and others. All non-complying samples examined by CAFIA have been of Chinese origin; seeds coming from Mediterranean area do not show this kind of fault.
Due to the long best before date, consumers might still have the products at home. There is no negative effect on human health due to the poor quality of the products. However, CAFIA doesn´t recommend consumption of these products.

The information about all above mentioned products has been forwarded to the RASFF system, so that other member states are notified.


Author: Mgr. Michal Spáčil , phone : +420 542 426 633