Luxembourg may ban Dubai chocolate

Chocolate produced in Dubai has been at the centre of an international scandal due to health-threatening contaminants found in Germany. The German Institute for Chemistry and Veterinary Analysis (CVUA) found numerous irregularities in eight samples, including the use of palm oil, dangerous mycotoxins and undeclared allergens. Particularly alarming was the finding of aflatoxins - toxic substances formed in products contaminated with mould fungi - in pistachio stuffing.

So far, no imports of suspicious consignments have been registered in Luxembourg. The Veterinary and Food Control Administration (Alva) told L'Essentiel that routine checks have not detected any deviations. However, a targeted product control campaign is planned for 2025, including checks on both imported products and goods on the domestic market.

If unsafe batches are detected, Alva will promptly notify the public via the official product safety portal, mailings, the LU-Alert mobile app and press releases. Consumers can also contact Alva directly via a feedback form.

A Luxembourg-based seller of chocolate from Dubai, the Elit brand, has sent its products for laboratory analysis, but the results have not yet been received. This confirms the willingness of some market players to be proactive in protecting consumer confidence.