Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Pulled Off M’sian Shelves After High Levels Of Carcinogens Were Found

Several products by popular ice cream brand Haagen-Dazs have been taken off from the shelves after high levels of Ethylene Oxide (ETO) were found reported The Star.

In a statement, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry was notified of the issue back in July and that the manufacturer had voluntarily recalled the products.

“Continuous monitoring has been done to ensure the products will not be on sale in the country,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that consumers who have questions about the products sold by Haagen-Dazs can contact the nearest district health office or send their inquiries via http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Food Safety and Quality Division’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ bkkmhq.

What is ETO?

The European Union Rapid Alert Systems for Food and Feed (EURASAFF) had announced in their notification report that the recall was conducted after they found that products sold in France contained vanilla extract from Madagascar that has ETO way beyond permitted levels.

ETO is a chemical gas compound that can potentially cause cancer and is usually used to destroy pests.

It is also used as an active ingredient in detergents but are banned from being used on surfaces that come in contact with food.

Europe affected too

Several European countries such as Belgium, Spain and France have also recalled certain Haagen-Dazs products as well.

On Tuesday (Aug 9) Belgium issued the recall order after traces of carcinogenic elements which cause lymphoma and leukaemia were detected.

The affected flavours are Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate, Macadamia Nut Brittle and Pralines & Cream with the expiry dates dating between March and April 2023.

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Cover image via AFP

Editor: Sarah Yeoh