Dubai chocolate is a trend – but individual imported samples have already been noticed in laboratories. “Everything from fraud to health hazards was found in the first imported samples of Dubai chocolate. Wherever it says Dubai chocolate, it must also contain real chocolate with high-quality ingredients without adulteration or contamination,” criticized Baden-Württemberg’s Consumer Minister Peter Hauk (CDU).
Contaminants, dyes, allergens and extraneous fat were found in eight out of eight samples from the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office (CVUA). “The low number of samples is not yet a trend, but the results are very concerning and have led us to launch a special nationwide program to review and scrutinize the nationwide offerings of Dubai chocolate,” said Hauk.
Dubai chocolate in the test: palm oil instead of chocolate
Five samples come from different batches from the same manufacturer in the United Arab Emirates, three samples from different manufacturers in Turkey. There was no declared sesame in the three Turkish samples. This is harmful to the health of sesame allergy sufferers. “The five samples from the United Arab Emirates, on the other hand, contained foreign fat (palm oil) instead of real chocolate: a clear case of consumer deception,” emphasized Hauk.
Additionally, the samples from the United Arab Emirates were not suitable for human consumption because they contained manufacturing-related contaminants. Almost all samples had artificial colors to simulate higher quality ingredients.
Dubai chocolate: Special program to examine Dubai chocolate and pistachio cream in Baden-Württemberg
With a short-term special program, samples of Dubai chocolate from third countries and products manufactured in the EU from retailers throughout Baden-Württemberg are to be collected for examination at the CVUA Stuttgart. Goods produced by local small producers, pastry shops and confectioneries are also taken into account. In addition, samples of pistachio cream from wholesalers will be collected.
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During a random screening, high levels of mold toxins (mycotoxins), especially aflatoxins, were found in a sample with pistachio filling, said Hauk. The suspicion that the maximum level of aflatoxin was exceeded was confirmed. The goods are blocked until the final results are determined. The first tests on wholesale pistachio creams for aflatoxin have so far been unremarkable.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:241219-930-322522/1
