Engine oil in mayonnaise sold in France

40,000 tons of Ukrainian sunflower oil cut to engine lubricant have been distributed in Europe, according to revelations from the "Chained Duck". Food products made from this oil would not have been withdrawn from the market, officially "in the absence of acute toxicity".

The story begins on April 21 when the Saipol group, the parent company of mayonnaises Lesieur, informs the Repression of Frauds that scammers have delivered to them a cargo of 40,000 tons of Ukrainian sunflower oil cut with 280 tons of motor oil.

Blocking sales lifted

As of April 26, products are removed from the shelves, the Carrefour sign admits for example having removed no less than 200. But the repression of fraud published May 7 a note very reassuring revealed by the "Chained Duck": "The blockage of products with less than 10% of contaminated sunflower oil is lifted since May 2, those containing more than 10% are subject to blocking and withdrawal."

In other words, manufacturers and distributors can continue to sell contaminated products as long as they contain less than 10% of contaminated oil. Reason invoked by the Fraud Repression: "the absence of acute toxicity". The European Commission, which is at the origin of the decision, explains to the "Chained Duck" that the incriminated motor oil is not so dangerous as that: a man of 60 kg can ingest up to 1.2 gram per day without risk. Not sure that European consumers are reassured.

SAISI