Ice cream recall: These 12 types can contain carcinogenic substances


Now in the summer, it’s not just the kids who want ice cream. But the sweet refreshment is not always a pleasure without hesitation. “Mars” has recalled several varieties because they may contain carcinogenic ethylene oxide.

“Mars Germany” is recalling several ice cream products. This affects varieties from the brands Snickers, Bounty, Twix and M & M’s. As the company announced, it cannot be ruled out that the affected products contain minimal amounts of ethylene oxide (ETO). However, the company claims that it is harmless to consume.

According to the consumer association “Foodwatch”, however, this claim contradicts the view of the EU, according to which “no safe intake amount of ethylene oxide can be determined” and “even the smallest amounts of the carcinogenic and mutagenic substance can pose a health risk.”

These 12 products are affected by the recall:

SNICKERS Ice cream bar, 6-pack box

EAN / GTIN: 5000159344081 • Best before date: 31.10.2022; 11/30/2022; 01/31/2023; 02/28/2023; March 31, 2023; 04/30/2023

SNICKERS Ice cream bar, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159460873 • Best before date: 31.10.2022; 11/30/2022; December 31, 2022; 01/31/2023; March 31, 2023; 04/30/2023

SNICKERS CRISP Ice cream bar, 6-pack box

EAN / GTIN: 5000159526074 • Best before date: 30.11.2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; 04/30/2023

SNICKERS CRISP Ice cream bar, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159526128 • Best before date: 30.11.2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; 04/30/2023

SNICKERS WHITE Ice cream bar, 6-pack box

EAN / GTIN: 5000159509626 • Best before dates: 31.12.2022; 02/28/2023; March 31, 2023

SNICKERS WHITE Ice cream bar, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159509664 • Best before dates: 31.12.2022; 02/28/2023

BOUNTY Ice cream bar, 6-pack box

EAN / GTIN: 5000159483056 • Best before dates: 02/28/2022; March 31, 2022; 04/30/2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; March 31, 2023; 04/30/2023

BOUNTY Ice cream bar, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159483032 • Best before dates: 02/28/2022; 04/30/2022; 10/31/2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; 04/30/2023

TWIX Ice cream bar, 6-pack box

EAN / GTIN: 5000159484688 • Best before dates: 31.10.2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; March 31, 2023; 04/30/2023

TWIX Ice cream bar, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159484633 • Best before dates: 31.03.2022; 04/30/2022; December 31, 2022; 02/28/2023; 04/30/2023

M & M’s choco ice cream stick stick ice cream, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159509367 • Best before date: 31.01.2023

M & M’s peanut ice cream popsicle, single

EAN / GTIN: 5000159509343 • Best before dates: 08/31/2021; October 31, 2021; May 31, 2022; 07/31/2022

To determine whether your ice stock could be contaminated, please compare the product name, product number and best before date (BBD) on the packaging with the list. If you have the affected varieties in stock, you can contact the Mars consumer service at www.mars.de/kontakt with the product data and photos of the packaging including the best before date.

How does the ethylene oxide get into the ice?

The additive carob gum (E410) is used in foods as a thickener and stabilizer. According to the Foodwatch organization, large amounts of E410 are contaminated with toxic ethylene oxide. The EU states had already agreed on July 13th that the affected food would have to be recalled.

Foodwatch criticizes that the recall in Germany is far too late. It has been known since the beginning of July that the locust bean gum is contaminated. Only now, five weeks later, was the first recall in Germany. Research had shown that “Mars” had long since recalled the products in other European countries.

In order for the German food authorities to consistently enforce recalls in the future, Foodwatch has drawn up a petition that you here can sign.

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Brigitte