site.btaFood Safety Agency Withdraws Bottled Juice Product from Market over Patulin Mycotoxin

During an official inspection, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has established the presence of excessive quantities of the patulin mycotoxin in bottled juice of the FRUDADA brand, the agency said on Thursday. To protect consumers, the BFSA has taken urgent measures to stop the distribution of the juice from the affected batches in the inspected production facility; all bottles already on the market will be withdrawn and destroyed.

Consumers can return in the shops any FRUDADA items they have purchased of the Pineapple, Aloe and Mint Smoothie in a glass bottle of 250 ml (batch L16424, best before 14.12.2024) and the Apple, Kiwi and Celery Juice in a glass bottle of 750 ml (batch L16524, best before 15.12.2024).

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by a variety of molds; it is most commonly found in rotting apples and, thus, in apple products. Consumption of juice with patulin above the allowed maximum quantity (50 microgrammes per kilogram) may result in nausea, gastrointestinal issues, and vomiting. The symptoms depend on the consumer's age, health, and diet. Susceptible are children aged under 5 whose diet does not include yogurt or another source of Lactobacillus casei, a bacteria known to effectively degrade patulin.