French supermarkets recall 1,000 tonnes of sugar due to pesticide risk

Some packets of fine-granulated cooking sugar produced by the brand Béghin Say are being recalled in France as they contain a level of pesticides higher than the authorised amount.

Sugar producer Tereos said on June 22 that 1,000 tonnes of products are affected by the recall. Delivery has been stopped on a further 1,000 tonnes of products.

Three sugars used for cooking are being recalled: Spécial Confitures au blond de canne, Spécial Gelées and Spécial Confitures.

Details of the products are listed on the government site Rappel Conso.

Béghin Say said in a statement: “The recall is due to the presence of ethylene oxide at levels higher than authorised by European legislation.”

Ethylene oxide is recognised as a carcinogen.

The brand said the chemical compound comes from the setting agent added to the sugars provided by the company’s supplier.

People who have bought packets of the affected sugar are advised to not eat the product and to throw the contents of the pack away.

Reimbursements are available via Béghin Say’s customer helpline: 0800 800 913

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