Environmental health warning on pine nuts

During the past months, the Health Inspectorate has investigated several complaints from the public regarding a metallic after taste (also known as ‘pine mouth syndrome’) following consumption of different brands of pine nuts.

Whilst it is understood that local traders must comply with regulations, this problem is not easily detected since it does not affect everybody the same and the analytical methods to detect such species had to be developed in due course. However, following several investigations carried out, in terms of the Food Safety Act and the EC Regulation 178 of 2002, the Environmental Health Directorate wishes to inform the public that as a precaution, the following brands and batches of pine nuts are not to be consumed due to the confirmed presence of pinus armandi which is an inedible pine nut.

These are Good Earth Natural Foods, Good Health, Pave pine nut kernels, and Lucky Rose brands.

For further information, the public is kindly requested to contact the Health Inspectorate Services between 8:00am and 3:00pm on telephone number 21337333, by calling personally at its offices at 37-39, Rue D’Argens, Msida or by email [email protected]