The Ministry of Health has published yet another reminder note for a risky product. This is a specific batch of a product that is very common in homes throughout Italy. It is a potato toolthe one useful for crushing them. The object is subject to recall due to the presence of metals beyond the limits of the law.
The recall mark is Alpine and the reason for the report refers to a possible risk of metal migration to food. These are nickel and aromatic amines.
Non-food product recall: Chinese potato masher at risk of contamination
With a note, also available in digital version on the dedicated app, dated 10 June 2024, but confirmed only on 2 August, the Ministry of Health recalls a non-food product for nickel contamination risk And aromatic amines. This is a potato tool. The brand of the recalled product is Alpine and the name or business name of the OSA under which the product is marketed is Edcoitalia srl.
Specifically, the potato masher of Chinese production subjected to recall is the one with black with light or dark gray handle. It is sold without packaging, with only a label. The recalled lots are, unfortunately, everyone.
The reason for the recall refers to the presence, in non-compliant levels, of nickel and aromatic amines. The product was in fact found to be non-compliant with the legal limits regarding the level of specific migration of materials potentially dangerous to health, such as nickel and more.
The note does not contain any warnings, but the advice is to don’t use it and obtain useful information to understand what to do with the object.
What are nickel and aromatic amines and why are they dangerous (if above the limits)?
The nickel It is a silvery-white metal used in many industries due to its resistance to corrosion and high temperatures. It is commonly found in coins, jewelry and cooking utensils. Nickel is also a potent allergen: prolonged contact can cause dermatitis allergic contact rashes, characterized by itching, redness and blisters on the skin. Inhaling nickel dust or fumes can also lead to respiratory problems and, in more extreme cases, increase the risk of lung and nasal cavity cancer.
The aromatic amines They are instead organic compounds present in various industrial products such as colorantspesticides and drugs. Known for their toxic effects and carcinogenicprolonged exposure can cause DNA damage and increase the risk of developing cancer, especially bladder cancer. Ingestion or inhalation of high amounts of aromatic amines can cause acute symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting and breathing problems.
When it comes to kitchen utensils, safety must never be compromised. For this reason, over time the ministry has withdrawn several products, including non-food ones, such as knives with high levels of chromium. These and other utensils contain various levels of nickel, aromatic amines and other metals and elements and must be kept under control. In the case of the potato masher, the two elements are in quantities higher than the legal limits and for this reason they can contaminate foodcausing immediate allergic reactions and increasing the long-term risk of cancer.
