Contaminated pepper also in other supermarkets

Contaminated pepper also in other supermarkets

18/01/2011

The scandal surrounding the pesticide contaminated vegetables in discounters continues. After the supermarket chain „Lidl“ the one infected with ethephon „Spanish pepper mix“ (consisting of red and yellow pepper) called back on the weekend from the trade, it was now known that other chains sold strained vegetables. So reports the environmental organization „Greenpeace“, that also in the supermarkets of corporations „net“ and „Tengelmann“ Spanish peppers were sold in which the Ethephon limits were exceeded. The net market chain reacted as well and also recalled the strained peppers from the sales markets. A spokeswoman for the company announced that the affected pepper varieties had been taken out of the assortment in two markets. Other branches were not affected, as the Netto Group assured. Anyone who has already purchased the contaminated goods can give them back at all outlets against reimbursement of the purchase price. The company Tengelmann initially did not want to comment on the allegations by Greenpeace. But they wanted to get to the bottom of the matter and make their own checks, as a spokeswoman in Mühlheim an der Ruhr said.

The use of ethephon is by no means prohibited. The pesticide is used as a growth regulator used by fruits and vegetables. Among other things, the substance causes plants to grow faster and the maturation process starts faster. By treating with pesticides, the yield of the harvest is much more efficient and achieves a larger harvest volume. The paprika mix is ​​available in three different colors. The peppers are red, yellow and green. So that this mix can be sold in the colors, the food manufacturers have helped with the chemistry, as confirmed by an expert from Greenpeace.

Maximum values ​​of the growth regulator were exceeded
In a total of 29 samples, the environmental organization Greenpeace had exceeded the legal limits. According to the environmentalists, a sample even exceeded the acute reference dose. This means that from this value, there is an acute risk to health, even if the vegetables are eaten only once. Overdosage of the plant growth regulator may lead to damage to health such as skin irritation and mucous membrane irritation if the toxic maximum is overdosed.

Consumers can test loads themselves
So that consumers can check themselves whether the sold goods are loaded, Greenpeace gives a helpful hint. Are located „green shades“ on the fruit, so could be an Ethephon load. Only on Saturday had the group Lidl the „Spanish pepper mix“ (Lot number L-01-05 TUTW) from the markets in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia in Lower Saxony because of too high Ethephon values ​​recalled. Consumers may return the product concerned for a refund of the sales price. (Sb)

Also read:
Greenpeace finds pollutants in peppers
Lidl calls back peppers: skin irritations threaten

Picture: dreimirk30