Forbidden fruit: Papain and bromelain rejected
The Norwegian authorities rejected a shipment of papain and bromelain – enzymes found in papaya and pineapple fruit.
In 2008 the FDA warned consumers not to buy products containing papain, saying a total of 37 reports of adverse events associated with topical papain products had been recorded in 2008 including serious cases of anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock.
The RASFF notice said the substances were unauthorised, yet differences exist among EU states. In Italy, for example, the enzymes are listed as permitted in supplements.
The ingredients came from the Czech Republic.
