Warning issued after paracetamol found in food

The Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection Administration (UVHVVR) said the discovery was made as part of a regular inspection of food imports. Paracetamol is known as acetaminophen in the United States.

Such a result is very rare in Europe. Before Slovenian officials made two Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alerts in October, paracetamol in food had only been mentioned once before. This was in June 2024 in honey paste from Turkey.

The UVHVVR said the reasons for paracetamol in food and the possible technological effects in food production are not clear. The agency contacted experts from other member states, but they did not have data on the use of paracetamol in the food industry.

Product withdrawal

The UVHVVR carries out surveillance of food suppliers from non-EU countries, checking compliance of shipments with European legislation.

During controls, a consignment of pickles, also known as gherkins, from India, imported by the company AHAC d.o.o., was sampled. The manufacturer is Blos Showers Agro Private Limited. This product did not reach the consumer, with 15,200 kilograms detained in the importer’s warehouse ahead of being destroyed.

First, a qualitative analysis was performed, which confirmed the presence of paracetamol. The sample was then quantitatively analyzed in an accredited laboratory abroad. Results showed the paracetamol concentration was 28.6 mg/kg.