Lebanon's Consumer Protection Directorate warns of the use of carcinogenic chemicals in pickles. (Getty Images)

Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanon’s Consumer Protection Directorate warned on Friday of the existence of a carcinogenic substance used in the pickling of turnips.

It revealed that it had tested pickled turnip samples taken from ten different regions in Lebanon, all of which yielded “catastrophic” results.

All the samples contained the banned Rhodamine B chemical food coloring.

The Directorate immediately informed the ministries of health and industry of its findings to investigate the issue and take the necessary steps, but, as of yet, no action has been taken.

The Ministry of Industry had previously warned against the use of hazardous substances in the pickling process.

Ever since reports emerged of the hazards used in pickling, the ministry has been following up on the issue to trace the source of these substances and ensure that they adhere to required standards, it said.

It had issued on September 15, 2017 an order against the use of any substances in the pickling process that could be hazardous to public health.

For its part, the Health Ministry said that Rhodamine B is not authorized for use in Lebanon, meaning it was illegally brought into the country.

“Combating smuggling is the duty of customs authorities and concerned border security and military agencies,” it added.

“The Consumer Protection Directorate is responsible for monitoring the final product that could include the banned substance and others.”

In case of violations, the issue should be referred to the concerned authorities, meaning the Ministry of Industry so that it could hold the manufacturer accountable. The Ministry of Economy is also responsible for ensuring the safety of food products in Lebanon, it stressed.

Lebanon was recently revealed to have the highest cancer rate in western Asia.

The World Health Organization estimated over 17,000 new cancer cases in 2018 in Lebanon and 242 cancer patients for every 100,000 Lebanese.