Recall: Health hazard from known vitamin pills

Recall due to risk of cancer
Federal Office warns of known vitamin pills from Rewe, Rossmann & Co.

Whether to strengthen the immune system, wellbeing or recovery after exercise: Many people nowadays take nutritional supplements. Common minerals and vitamins can therefore be obtained in almost every supermarket and drugstore chain. That could now be a problem: Because the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety informs on its portal “Lebensmittelwarnung.de” about the recall of a food supplement that was on sale in several shops across Germany.

It is about magnesium tablets from “Omega Pharma Deutschland GmbH”, which are sold under the brand name “Abtei”. According to the manufacturer, 2-chloroethanol, which is in connection with ethylene oxide, could be detected in the product. The Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) therefore evaluates both substances together. Even in small amounts, ethylene oxide is classified as mutagenic and carcinogenic; there are also corresponding indications for 2-chloroethanol. Even if the scientific data are not yet available, the carcinogenic effect cannot be ruled out, according to the BfR.

Recall: Do not take these magnesium tablets anymore

Omega Pharma Deutschland GmbH now also warns that “impaired health with long-term use” cannot be ruled out. The food supplements should therefore no longer be consumed.

The following product batches are specifically affected:

Customers who already have the nutritional supplements at home can return them to the appropriate shop. There they should be reimbursed the full purchase price even without presenting the receipt. According to current studies, other batches should not be affected.

sources used:Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety, Federal Office for Risk Assessment

Brigitte