The Ministry of Healthin its function of monitoring products that put health at risk, has a product was recalled dangerous. This is a pistachio flour.
The risks associated with the product are quite serious, so much so that the ministry has asked to be careful about its consumption. The warning is in fact not to consume it due to a high risk of contamination by a dangerous substance.
Pistachio Flour Recall: Risk of Ochratoxin Intake
With the notes of the August 12th the Ministry of Health (also present on thededicated app) has decided to recall a potentially dangerous product. It is a pistachio flour.
The flour is of the brand “Metrochef”The name of the sales denomination is precisely pistachio flour. The manufacturer and the establishment identification mark is MCC Trading Germany GmbHthe address of the plant is: Ctra. Real de Madrid, 85-89, 46469 Beniparrell in Valencia, Spain. To better identify the recalled package, you can check the number of the accused batch:
The alarm was raised by the presence of ochratoxin in a value higher than that foreseen by EU regulation 2023/915. The recall, foreseen from 12 August 2024 regarding the product with expiry date 25/05/2025, does not have a warning. The note does not read what is known about the cause of ochratoxin intake, that is, that the product can cause gastrointestinal disorders.
THE’ochratoxin (also present in quinoa) is a mycotoxin, that is, a toxin produced by some species of fungi. The main fungal species responsible for the production of ochratoxin are Aspergillus genus and the genus Penicillium. The most common is ochratoxin A (OTA), which is considered the most toxic and studied of the ochratoxins. Its intake causes several problems, including risks to the nervous system and increases the risk of cancer.
Other details to recognize the incriminated batch: the packaging
To better understand which package is incriminated by the Ministry of Health, on which the food recall is pending, here are other identification details:
- the packaging is yellow and blue;
- the brand name is not in Italian;
- on the packaging you can read the words: powdered pistachios;
- there is an image of pistachios and a green cake;
- the weight of the plastic bag is 500 g;
- is imported into Italy by Importaco Food Service;
- It is sold in the METRO supermarket chain.
What are the risks of taking ochratoxin in large quantities?
The assumption of ochratoxin A can cause a series of symptoms, the most serious of which concern the kidney damage. In fact, ochratoxin A is nephrotoxic, which means it can cause kidney damage, leading to chronic kidney failure. In addition to these effects, ingestion can also cause gastrointestinal problems such as: abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and vomiting, symptoms that are often associated with food poisoning.
Ochratoxin A may also have effects on immune systemweakening it and increasing susceptibility to infections. Some studies have highlighted the possibility of neurotoxic effects, with symptoms such as confusion, dizziness and headache. Even the cardiovascular system may be affected, with an increase in blood pressure observed in some cases. Although less common, ochratoxin A can also damage the liver.
