Germany-wide Lidl recall injury due to plastic particles in canned tomatoes

Attention: Risk of injury when eating

Both the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety as well as Lidl and the manufacturer itself warn against the consumption of chopped canned tomatoes with basil, which are distributed by Lidl throughout Germany. According to the manufacturer, plastic foreign bodies have entered the tomatoes and there is a risk of injury to the mouth, throat, stomach and intestinal tract. The Italian producer "Le Specialità Italiane srl" therefore recalls the product "Italiamo chopped tomatoes in tomato juice with basil, 400g".

The consumer protection portal "lebensmittelwarnung.de" reported by the Federal Office of Consumer Protection is in particular the canned product "Italiamo chopped tomatoes in tomato juice with basil, 400g" by the Italian manufacturer "Le Specialità Italiane srl" with the best before date 31.12.2020 and batch number L327NDB 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224. The Federal Office, Lidl and the manufacturer strongly advise against consumption.

Lidl's product "Italiamo chopped tomatoes in tomato juice with basil, 400g", with a best before date of 31.12.2020 and lot number L327NDB 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224, could contain plastic debris and should not be eaten. (Image: food alert.de)

Why should the product not be consumed?

As the manufacturer informs, plastic foreign bodies are apparently included in some of the affected products. "Due to the potential risk of injury when eating, customers should pay attention to the call back and never consume the product," Lidl writes on the company's website.

Where can you deliver the product?

Lidl reacted and removed the affected canned tomatoes for reasons of consistent consumer protection. Those who have already bought the chopped tomatoes can return them in all Lidl stores and get the purchase price refunded, even if there is no receipt. Lidl and the manufacturer point out that only the product "Italiamo chopped tomatoes in tomato juice with basil, 400g", with a best before date 31.12.2020 and batch L327NDB 6A-31/12/2020 SI LB 224, are affected by the recall. All other products from Lidl and the manufacturer are in the usual quality.

What health risks threaten with consumption?

Foreign bodies in the food can cause many different injuries and discomfort. Depending on the size, condition and material of the swallowed body wounds in the mouth and throat may occur during chewing. Even the partial or complete loss of a tooth is conceivable. Device of the foreign body in the airways, threatens a so-called foreign body aspiration. Coughing, hoarseness and difficulty in breathing are possible signs. If smaller foreign bodies remain in the body, they can also trigger inflammations. Also, digestive or stomach problems and internal injuries can not be ruled out. Anyone who has health problems after eating the tomatoes, should see a doctor immediately.

Artifacts and alien impurities

Dangerous foreign bodies in food are a common reason for product recalls. Again and again it comes to such impurities. In addition to plastic, remnants of glass, metal, stone, bristles or bones occasionally get into the products. Legally, according to the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety, it plays a big role whether the contaminants are "species-specific" or "foreign" foreign bodies. For example, a piece of onion skin in an onion sausage is more likely to be considered a species-specific foreign body than plastic pieces in a tomato sauce. (Vb)