Lorraine Williamson
The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has issued a nationwide alert after discovering harmful tropane alkaloids in gluten-free flour distributed to at least ten Spanish regions.
The warning follows a notification from Belgian authorities via the EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
Contaminated Dr. Schär flour batches recalled
The product in question is the Mix It Dunkel Rustico gluten-free flour from the well-known brand Dr. Schär. It is widely used by people with coeliac disease or those avoiding gluten for dietary reasons.
According to AESAN, the affected flour is sold in 1kg packages and should be stored at room temperature. It includes the following batch numbers and best-before dates:
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141025C – 14.10.2025
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151025A – 15.10.2025
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071225B – 07.12.2025
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220126A – 22.01.2026
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130226D – 13.02.2026
The contaminated batches were distributed to several Spanish regions, including Aragón, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Valencia, Catalonia, Castile and León, Extremadura, Madrid, Murcia, and Navarra. However, AESAN notes redistribution may have extended the product’s reach to other areas as well.
What are tropane alkaloids, and why are they a risk?
Tropane alkaloids are naturally occurring toxins found in certain wild plants of the nightshade family, such as Datura and Atropa belladonna. These substances can contaminate cereal crops when toxic seeds or plant parts mix with grains during harvest or processing.
The two most common alkaloids of concern are atropine and scopolamine. Even at low levels, they can cause a range of symptoms, especially in vulnerable individuals such as children or the elderly.
Mild symptoms may include dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, and rapid heart rate.
Moreover, higher exposure may lead to hallucinations, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness.
For this reason, the European Commission introduced Regulation (EU) 2021/1408, which sets strict limits on tropane alkaloid levels in foods, particularly those aimed at children or medically vulnerable groups.
What consumers should do
AESAN urges the public not to consume any product from the listed batches. Consumers should check packaging labels carefully. If your product matches any of the affected batch numbers, you should dispose of it or return it to the retailer.
Authorities have shared the alert with all regional health bodies through the Coordinated Rapid Information Exchange System (SCIRI) to ensure the flour is withdrawn from the market.
This incident highlights the importance of food monitoring systems and the hidden risks that can arise even in products marketed as health-conscious.
For further details on tropane alkaloids, AESAN provides additional information via its official website.
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