The Greek National Food Safety Authority (EFET) announced the recall of dried apricots after detecting sulfur dioxide in sealed plastic packaging. Following inspections and sampling by EFET, it was found that the product “Dried Osmotic Apricot” in a sealed plastic 1Kg package contains sulfur dioxide and sulfur compounds, which in large quantities can cause allergies and problems for people with sensitivities to these substances.
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EFET’s official announcement
The Commerce Department of the Development Directorate of Kavala Regional Unit, within the framework of a cooperation program with EFET for 2025 regarding the control of food additives and flavoring substances in various food products, conducted sampling of a food product labeled “Dried Osmotic Apricot” in a sealed plastic 1Kg package, with batch number Batch No OSAPR140725 from Serbia, best before: 01/2027, distributed by the company “HEALTH TRADE” based in Longos-Aigialeia, Achaia.
The product was examined by the Chemical Department of Kavala of the Chemical Service of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace of the General State Laboratory of A.A.D.E. and was characterized as Non-Compliant and Unsafe because it was found to contain the preservative sulfur dioxide in concentrations greater than 10 mg/kg, but the packaging does not indicate the sulfur substance which is allergenic, while it should be emphasized with a type of font that clearly distinguishes it from the rest of the ingredients list.
Sulfur dioxide and sulfur compounds in concentrations above 10mg/kg are allergenic ingredients and can affect individuals with sensitivity to them. The Commerce Department of the Development Directorate of Kavala Regional Unit requested the immediate recall/withdrawal of the entire specific batch of the aforementioned NON-COMPLIANT – UNSAFE product from the domestic market, and related inspections are already underway.
According to information from “HEALTH TRADE” company, this product is also available in 100g packaging with the same batch details (Batch No OSAPR140725-SAK). Consumers who have already purchased products from the disputed batch, regardless of package size, and have allergies to sulfur compounds are advised not to consume them.
