Another food poisoning linked to caraway seeds

The National Food Chain Safety Office (NFCSO) studied the cases of food poisoning caused by atropine and found that the patients all consumed foods containing caraway. The NFCSO and other local government departments immediately ordered an investigation and the NFCSO began taking and analyzing samples from the product group.

On the 22^nd of March, the NFCSO posted a warning on their official website about contaminated caraway showing up on the market. According to penzcentrum.hu, the spice contained traces of jimsonweed, and the authorities ordered a recall of the product.

After a number of new patients got admitted with atropine poisoning, the NFCSO compiled the following list to help prevent similar cases:

• Never use caraway of unknown origins
• Food industries, restaurants and catering services may only use ground caraway that has been tested for traces of atropine and scopolamine. Even in the case of using whole caraway seeds, they need to verify the origin of the product, the quality certificates and that it is free of any contamination
• Both customers and food producers need to check the list of the previously identified contaminated products (http://portal.nebih.gov.hu/-/szennyezett-fuszerkomenyt-hivott-vissza-a-hatosag)
• Do not use or consume caraway products originating from Egypt
• In case of food poisoning contact your doctor immediately

Translated by Dóra Szél

Source: https://www.penzcentrum.hu/