State Consumer Service reassures that there are no poisonous avocados in Ukrainian stores
9 April 2025 06:25
The State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has denied the information that is actively spreading on social media about poisonous avocados on store shelves. This is reported on the Facebook page of the head of the agency, Serhiy Tkachuk, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
“Information about poisonous avocados imported to Ukraine from the Netherlands (country of origin – Peru) is widely spread on the Internet. As of 08.04.2025, the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection has no official confirmation that such a product is sold in Ukraine,” the statement said.
According to the RASFF, the Dutch authorities have decided to prevent the distribution of dangerous products. As a result, the batch of avocados was utilized. In addition, the agency continues to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of Ukrainian citizens as consumers of imported goods.
“I appeal to the media: to cover the news about the possible import of dangerous products, we advise you to check with the press service of the State Service of Ukraine for information,” Tkachuk said.
Yesterday, the media spread information that a batch of poisonous avocados with excessive cadmium content had been imported into Ukraine.
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Cadmium and its health risks
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that occurs in natural minerals and is widely used in industry. It can accumulate in soil, water, and plants through emissions from metallurgical plants, waste incineration, and the use of phosphate fertilizers.
Health hazards in excess of normal levels
Cadmium has no beneficial role in the human body, and its accumulation leads to serious poisoning and chronic diseases. According to EU and WHO standards, the permissible daily dose of cadmium is approximately 0.025 mg per kilogram of body weight, and the content in food should not exceed the established limit levels.
If the rate of cadmium in foods is doubled, the health risks increase significantly:
- Kidney failure. Cadmium accumulates in the kidneys, causing impaired kidney function, the development of kidney failure, and increased protein levels in the urine.
- Bone problems. It interferes with calcium absorption, which leads to osteoporosis, brittle bones, and joint pain.
- Oncological diseases. Cadmium is recognized as a class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which means it can cause lung, prostate, and kidney cancer.
- Toxic effects on the liver and heart. Excessive consumption of cadmium leads to liver damage, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
- Nervous disorders. Exposure to cadmium can cause fatigue, headaches, irritability, and memory loss.
