The claim

A consumer has tested various foods for the content of insect meal and is now warning of his discovery: “May contain traces of molluscs”.

Our conclusion

  1. Insects are not molluscs.
  2. The statement “May contain traces of…” is voluntarily stated by manufacturers as information for allergy sufferers. However, this does not mean that the product must actually contain traces of the listed allergen.

At the same time as the lively discussion about insects in food, molluscs are now also being added. – Inspired by an internet user’s “own research” into food control.

His experience report, which is circulating on social media, is quoted here:

Screenshot Facebook / message from a concerned citizen
Screenshot Facebook / message from a concerned citizen

“I have taken the trouble over the last few days to check various shops in Vienna for insect meal products. The result: pure HORROR. Billa ("Egg pasta made from durum wheat semolina with...e.g. summer truffles, almonds,...tagliatelle al tartuffo), all mixed with ingredients: "May contain traces of mollusks". To SAVE! I then spoke to the branch managers. NOT A ONE knew anything about the EU regulation and the insect products. They have ZERO idea. At Billa: Avoid all “gourmet products”, especially pasta. at HOFER: ditto. “Gourmet pasta with mollusks as ingredients”. LIDL: same thing. MUST read the INGREDIENTS for ALL GOURMET FLOUR PRODUCTS! I took various photos of the products, am continuing to research and archive everything I find out.”

Facebook post in plain text (sic!) / “spit” = “vomit” (editor’s note)

This critical consumer was out and about checking food for “insect meal” in various Viennese supermarkets. Now he apparently feels vindicated because some of them “may contain traces of molluscs.”

___STEADY_PAYWALL___

A mollusc is not an insect

The term “mollusks” or “molluscs” includes snails, mussels, sea urchins and squid.
No flies, beetles, mosquitoes, crickets, ... Therefore, “traces of molluscs” are not the footprints of beetles that traipsed across bread or danced around in pasta dough. This also does not mean that there are any leftovers, parts or even crushed mosquitoes, crickets or the like. – Because a mollusc is not an insect!

“May contain traces of…”

If you find the information “May contain traces of... “contained”, these are components that are not regularly included in the recipe, but can get into the respective product unintentionally – for example through contamination.

This information is voluntary and not mandatory . Unlike the allergen label, which must be stated. – Nevertheless, it is important information for allergy sufferers.

This is possible if different foods are produced in the same rooms or with the same machines in a production facility. It is not always completely avoidable that small quantities of one product end up in another product. This is possible via the air, via the staff or via the systems themselves - despite hygiene regulations and measures.

For example, if pasta is colored with sepia in a company, it is possible that traces of molluscs (sepia = dark dye obtained from the ink sac of squid) could end up in other products from the same manufacturer.

Labeling of allergens

In contrast: If products contain an ingredient that can trigger allergies or intolerances, must be stated in the ingredient statement. The difference here is that these ingredients are part of the recipe.

The Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE) explains that the following 14 foods are responsible for around 90% of all food allergies and intolerances in Europe:

  • Grains containing gluten, namely wheat (such as spelled and khorasan wheat), rye, barley, oats or their hybrid strains
  • Crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps, crabs, lobsters etc.
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • peanuts
  • soy
  • Milk (including lactose)
  • Nuts, namely almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, Queensland nuts
  • celery
  • Mustard
  • Sesame seeds
  • Sulfur dioxide and sulfites (from 10 mg per kg or liter)
  • Sweet lupins
  • Molluscs (e.g. snails, mussels, squid, etc.)

This information must also be clearly visible or highlighted (e.g. in bold) on the packaging.

Liability claims

Manufacturers are taking precautionary measures with the note “May contain traces of…”. As already explained, even after careful cleaning, traces of such allergens can remain in production facilities or facilities and get into other foods. With such a - voluntary - note in the list of ingredients, the manufacturers protect themselves from possible liability claims and also provide allergy sufferers with important information.

Conclusion

Mimikama Rating: MISLEADING

If the message “May contain traces of molluscs” is on a package, this is a voluntary warning from the manufacturer to inform allergy sufferers of a possible intolerance or allergens it contains.

However, this does not mean that the product in question actually contains components of such an allergen. “May contain traces of…” does not mean “Contains traces of…”.

And again: a mollusk is not an insect!

Source:

Ökotest , Federal Center for Nutrition , Naturata

Our fact checks match this:
Insects: Are they actually already found in well-known foods?
Not a fake: EU allows home grilling as a food additive

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