Abu Dhabi: Almond cakes sold at Ikea outlets in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are free from coliform bacteria, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) announced on Monday.
Laboratory tests on the cakes were conducted by the ADFCA following the recall of two isolated batches of almond cake by the Swedish furniture manufacturer. The batches, which were withdrawn from stores in 23 countries, including the UAE, were allegedly contaminated by coliform bacteria.
A senior ADFCA official also confirmed to Gulf News that no almond cakes from the withdrawn batches were found at Abu Dhabi Ikea stores.
“Although we were informed that the contaminated cakes had been withdrawn, we undertook random tests on other batches of almond cake being sold, and found them to be free from harmful bacteria,” said Mohammad Jalal Al Rayssi, director of communication and community service at the ADFCA.
“Ikea almond cakes were withdrawn from sale in the emirate until the test results were obtained,” Al Rayssi added.
According to reports, Chinese authorities initially traced coliform bacteria, known to be found in faecal matter and sewage, in Ikea cakes in November 2012. Following this, two tonnes of almond cake, with chocolate and butterscotch produced by a Swedish firm, Almondy, were destroyed.
Ikea UAE also told Gulf News earlier at the time that it had withdrawn all cakes from the contaminated batches.
Other countries from which the cakes were withdrawn include Australia, the Russian Federation, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Taiwan, Slovakia, Sweden, Romania, UAE, Poland, Norway, Hungary, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, China, Bulgaria and Austria.
Prior to the bacteria scare, Ikea also withdrew its meatballs from 24 countries due to fears that they could have been contaminated with horsemeat.
Al Rayssi assured that contaminated meatballs had not entered the UAE. “The UAE has very strict meat safety standards, and this includes random tests at ports on all produce entering the country. In addition, we at the ADFCA will continue to conduct random checks on all food items being sold,” he added.
The official also urged members of the public to report any possible food safety threats to the ADFCA. “In the event of any international food safety incident, ADFCA continues to perform random checks on the items,” he said.
