Beer-imitating bath oil could cause pneumonia: German authorities

German authorities have notified the European Commission about the potential health risk posed by a…

German authorities have notified the European Commission about the potential health risk posed by a Czech-produced bath oil identified as a food imitating product – in this case beer.

Made under the Original Beer Cosmetics name by Czech Republic firm Manufaktura, the product (pictured) comprises a plastic bottle filled with a brown liquid.

The latest weekly overview report (36:2012) from the Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Products (RAPEX) said: “The liquid has a sweet smell with a slight scent of beer. The taste is unpleasant but not bitter,”

Via RAPEX, Germany warned that, if swallowed, the product posed a health risk since it contained 6.16g/100g of anionic tenside“which if swallowed, may cause aspiration pneumonia”.

“Due to its characteristic form, appearance and packaging, consumers may mistake the product for foodstuffs and therefore swallow the liquid,” the RAPEX alert stated.

It added that the product did not comply with Directive 87/357/EEC on product that appeared to be other than what they are, and were as such a risk to consumer health.