SFA Recalls Cakes Sold in S’pore That Have Ingredients That Can Cause Liver Damage


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“I’m here for a good time, not a long time – as long as it’s good, it doesn’t matter what’s inside” would be something you may have heard many foodies say before, or even think so yourself.

While that statement could probably apply to regular old unhealthy things that many still enjoy every day like bubble tea, fried chicken and the ‘likes’, other things are just bad for you, no matter how good they taste.

SFA Recalls Picard Log Cake

You may have come across this delicious and atas looking log cake of a foreign brand while doing your groceries on Redmart:

Image: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

If you want to try it, you can’t anymore, unfortunately.

On 4 March, Thursday, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued a recall for all batches of this particular Picard Rolled Yule Log Chocolate Tonka Bean Cake that was imported from France by Redmart.

The recall is currently ongoing for all of its 550g packages, for all expiry dates.

While it may look delicious, it contains a deadly ingredient in it – none other than the tonka bean, which has a rather cute name yet is anything but.

Tonka beans are prohibited in food products under the Singapore Food Regulations for containing high levels of the coumarin chemical, which can cause liver damage.

The SFA also advised those who have purchased it against consuming it.

“Those who have consumed the implicated product and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers may contact their point of purchase for enquiries,” they added.

Delicious But Deadly

It may just seem like a bean, but the tonka bean has a long history of being lethal to animals and humans. It is banned in food in most countries.

You might be wondering why people still use it in food products if it contains such a deadly chemical.

Well, the tonka bean happens to also be dubbed as one of the most delicious ingredients to exist and tastes. It is best when mixed into desserts or infused into syrups because of its natural vanilla-like fragrance.

It’s human nature – the more sinful it is, the more people are willing to risk for it, right?

There’s not much of a way around importing it into Singapore if you try, though, for you’ll probably get caught soon with its distinctive smell.

Oh well, let’s just stick to eating normal log cakes from now on.


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Feature Image: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)