French supermarket recalls basmati rice over toxins

Supermarket chain Carrefour is recalling bags of basmati rice over fears that they may contain significant quantities of a toxin knows as ochratixin A.

The affected 1kg bags have the following EAN number: 3560070837984, with a best-before date of 01/07/22.

Customers who have bought the products are advised not to eat the rice, and to return the bags to a Carrefour shop, where they will be reimbursed.

Low health risk from toxin

In a statement, the company said: “Ochratixin A is a mycotoxin produced by microscopic fungi […] and is naturally present in numerous plant products around the world such as cereals, grains, coffee, cacao and dried fruit.”

“Only consumption of a large quantity of contaminated products can lead to health problems.”

A dedicated helpline is open to queries on 09 69 39 7000, from 8:30-19:00, Monday-Saturday.

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