Supermarket's pesto recalled due to unauthorised pesticide

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland announced today (Wednesday) that Lidl was recalling a batch of its Italiamo Pesto alla Genovese due to the presence of the unauthorised pesticide ethylene oxide.

The implicated batch has a batch code of MUB785 and a best before date of 03/2024.

The unauthorised pesticide it contains was in the batch of food additive locust bean gum (E410) used in its production.

Locust bean gum (E410) is an approved food additive in the EU and is used as a thickener and stabiliser in a broad range of food products.

Ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is not permitted for use in foods sold in the EU, but is approved for use by other countries outside the EU.

The Food Safety Authority said the consumption of the contaminated product did not pose "an acute risk to health," but there was an increased risk with the continued consumption of ethylene oxide in contaminated food over a long period of time.

"Therefore, exposure to ethylene oxide needs to be minimised. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch," said the Authority.