Albert Heijn recalls grapes due to dangerous pesticide

Albert Heijn is immediately recalling seedless red grapes in 250 and 500-gram packages from their supermarkets. The fruit contains too high a level of the pesticide Ethephon. This can be hazardous to health, the supermarket chain reported.

The packages have a code of 44-G on the front. Anybody who has these grapes is “urgently requested” to not eat them and to return them to the store. They will get their money back if they choose to do so. People who have bought the grapes online can fill in a form online to get their money back.

Ethephon is often used on wheat, coffee, tobacco, cotton, and rice in order to help the plant’s fruit reach ripeness more quickly. The pesticide is moderately toxic to humans when ingested and too-high concentrations could cause symptoms including stomach cramps and diarrhea.