A contaminated batch (contamination by hydrocarbons of mineral origin) of
sunflower oil from the Ukraine was discovered on 23 April 2008 by the French authorities. Delivered on 23 February 2008, it has since been distributed not only in France, but also in 4 other European countries: Spain, Italy, Netherlands and United Kingdom.
The European Commission launched an alert after this discovery.
On the request of manufacturers, ITERG quickly reacted to the crisis by dedicating 3 laboratory employees fulltime to performing tests on the oil and
on food products containing it.
The tests performed on the oil showed the presence of hydrocarbons of mineral origin, but levels not presenting a risk to human health. A sustained request for
analyses for the purpose of quality control was granted and the results shed light on an increasingly recurring problem of cross contamination, with as result a
change in practices in terms of quality control.
ITERG assisted:
• Professional organisations FNCG and FEDIOL (organisation representing the EU oil and protein meal industry), the latter having recommended to its members a list, on which ITERG is included, of 5 competent and reliable laboratories for hydrocarbon tests on oils.
• Leading manufacturers from the industry in terms of advice, analysis as well as expertise for transfer of the test method developed by ITERG to production units laboratories.
• Numerous of users of fats, more than 100 in total.
• Public authorities, especially AFSSA and DGCCRF (General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control), to facilitate the decision-making process on measures to be taken and the publication of opinions during this crisis.
In this context, the Industry requested through the National Federation of Producers of Fats and Oils that ITERG be FOSFA* accredited, so as to play its role as an expert in the field of the global trade of oils, seeds and fats.
*FOSFA: Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations