Biscuits, hummus, salads, burger, flour, oils, mash, rusks or even chocolate … Since September 2020, recalls of sesame products have multiplied. As of April 21, 2021, the list of products recalled and withdrawn from sale established by the General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) thus has nearly 4,500 references.

To read also: Biscuit, bread, muesli …: sesame products withdrawn from sale

A withdrawal “whatever the quantity”

In question: the contamination of sesame seeds by ethylene oxide, a pesticide classified as carcinogenic. But the doses found in these products would not represent “necessarily an immediate risk“, reassures the DGGCRF on April 22.

“Products are withdrawn regardless of the quantity“of ethylene oxide, justifies Virginie Beaumeunier general manager of the DGCCRF, during the presentation of her annual report.

No cases of sick people

Indeed, this disinfection product “has been banned in Europe since 2011 because it is classified as a carcinogen “. However, in the case of a product classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic), the authorities must “limit consumer exposure to the maximum“, even if there is”not necessarily an immediate risk at the doses observed“, she explains, specifying not to have”no reports of people who would have been immediately ill“.

“Health authorities say we must limit consumer exposure, which is why we are withdrawing products regardless of the quantity.“of this agent found, she sums up.

A pesticide used in India

But how to explain the presence of this molecule in sesame seeds? These seeds were all imported from India, where ethylene oxide is not banned. A parliamentary report mentions several hypotheses. First, that “preventive treatment by fumigation“, in order to reduce the presence of pathogens, such as salmonella. Then, the use of the product as a pesticide during production.

Whatever the cause of the contamination, MEPs called last February to tighten import controls to avoid such scandals.

Consumers too “poorly informed”

And on April 20, the consumer defense association CLCV regretted that “consumers remain poorly informed“on this contamination. She claims in particular”a risk assessment for the different categories of products concerned, taking into account the toxicological data of ethylene oxide and its quantity present in these products“.