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Semicarbazide

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a statement about semicarbazide in certain foods packaged in glass jars and bottles closed with metal lids sealed with plastic gaskets.

The statement is available at www.efsa.eu.int

The EFSA says the risk to consumers resulting from the possible presence of semicarbazide in foods - if any - is judged to be very small, not only for adults but also for infants.

No immediate action on the part of consumers or retailer is recommended regarding the occurrence of semicarbazide in baby foods and other foods packaged in glass jars and bottles.

The European Commission also stated in January 2004 that it will require manufacturers to stop using semicarbazide in sealants by October 2005.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council has informed FSANZ that the Australian companies selling these seals will have stopped using semicarbazide by 2005.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has a fact sheet about semicarbazide "Semicarbazide used as a sealant in jar lids not a food safety risk"