Agency informed about possible chemical findings in jarred foods

Tuesday 29 July 2003

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the food industry have alerted EU Member States to possible findings of semicarbazide, a chemical that may cause cancer, in some foods sold in jars.

It is believed that this substance may migrate from the plastic sealing gaskets used in the lids of these jars. It is currently not known whether these results are correct. They may be the result of chemical reactions during testing, rather than a real finding in the products.

The EFSA is assessing the situation, in particular the possible health risk. There is limited information on the possible risks from semicarbazide, and the EFSA is currently unable to provide a risk assessment. The Agency understands that the industry is attempting to establish whether these results are correct or not, and the Agency has commissioned its own research to try to establish whether these findings are real.

While these significant uncertainties remain, the Agency is not advising anyone to stop buying or using products in jars. The Agency will issue any further advice, if necessary, as soon as it becomes available.