According to Hortoinfo, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), has stated that the Swedish authorities have returned a batch of Goji berries from the Netherlands to the exporter.
The Goji berries contained 0.033 milligrams of Carbofuran residues per kilo. The Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is 0.01 mg / kg, i.e. the product had three times more residue than allowed.
The Goji berries, which were destined for the Swedish market, were returned to their origin after the authorities verified the presence of Carbofuran in the aforementioned ratio.
Carbofuran is a systematic action contact insecticide used to control insects, worms, and nematodes. It is used in soil treatments and the plants absorb it through their roots. This insecticide acts during the early stages of cultivation.
One milliliter of this product can cause death in humans.
The European Union (EU), through a decision of the Commission of the European Communities adopted on 13 June 2007, canceled the authorizations for products containing carbofuran due to the effects on human health and the environment.
The deadline for the withdrawal of products based on this toxic agricultural product from the market was December 2008.
Carbofuran is included in the Consolidated List of Banned or Restricted Products by the United Nations and in the list of hazardous pesticides and chemicals in international trade, as part of the Consent Procedure (PIC) of the Rotterdam Convention, which means that the import of carbofuran is subject to prior consultation in each country, which must decide whether to accept or reject it in accordance with their domestic laws or regulations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies carbofuran in the 1b group, which means it is highly dangerous. It is extremely toxic if ingested directly or in residues in foods.
