Dried yeast from China
Friday 13 June 2008
The FSA has been made aware that dried irradiated yeast has been imported into the UK from China, which is in breach of regulations.
This yeast has been mixed with other ingredients and is present in very small quantities in a few food products.
Although this irradiated yeast is not permitted for sale, it does not pose a food safety risk.
The Agency has taken action to ensure that any of the yeast remaining in the UK, and products containing the yeast, that have not gone on sale in shops are removed from the food chain. The small number of products that are already on sale or have been sold are not being recalled or withdrawn.
Andrew Wadge, Chief Scientist of the FSA, said: 'This is not a food safety issue. But it is a breach of regulations and the sensible and proportionate approach is to prevent any more getting into the food chain. The Agency is ensuring manufacturers dispose of this product.
'This incident highlights issues surrounding global and multiple sourcing of ingredients in an increasingly complex food chain. We have a meeting planned with food industry representatives to explore ways of addressing this subject.'
Products affected
The products on sale that contain the potentially affected yeast are:
- Natures Aid Health Products
Brewers Yeast Tablets
500s pack: Batch no 16B0691 only
1000s pack: Batch no 16B0680 only - Power Health
Yeast Tablets
Batch no 92272 only
Selenium & Zinc Tablets
Batch Nos: 92224, 92301, 92401, 92500, 92722, 92819, 93060, 93244, 93088 - Snacks Unlimited
Weight Watchers Smokey Bacon Corn Bites
Batch 8153, Best before: 21 September 2008
Batch 8157, Best before: 25 September 2008 - Burton’s
Snackrite Mini Cheese Thins, Best before: 25 October 2008 to 22 November 2008
Snackrite Mini Pickle Thins, Best before: 25 October 2008 to 22 November 2008
Tesco Baked Mini Cheese Thins, Best before: 25 October 2008 to 22 November 2008
Background
Spot testing by a US company revealed that this yeast was irradiated. The product originated in China at the Shanghai Evergreen Chemicals Company Ltd, was imported into the UK by food broker, Fuerst Day Lawson Ltd and was subsequently distributed to food manufacturers by Overseal Natural Ingredients Ltd.
If any more information on this yeast distribution comes to light, the Agency will update this statement.
The science behind the story
Irradiation is a process that produces a similar effect to pasteurisation, cooking or other forms of heat treatment, but irradiation only raises the temperature of food by a few degrees and so there is less impact on taste, look and texture. The irradiation of spices, for example, does not change their flavour or aroma.
It is used in many parts of the world because it is an effective way of killing bacteria.
Current UK regulations allow for the irradiation of seven categories of food: fruit, vegetables, cereals, bulbs and tubers, spices and condiments, fish and shellfish, and poultry. However, only one UK licence, for the irradiation of a number of herbs and spices, has so far been granted.
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