Swedish furniture store IKEA is urging all customers who bought its Ficus Microcarpa Ginseng (in 14 cm and 22 cm pots), between 1 January and 31 March 2023 in Belgium, to contact the company for a full refund.
The potted plants may be contaminated with root-knot nematodes, a type of plant-parasitic roundworm. These are not harmful to humans but can cause significant damage to plants.
“Compliance is a top priority for IKEA. This is why we are recalling FICUS Microcarpa Ginseng plants in 14 cm and 22 cm pots due to non-compliance because a Meloidogyne, a kind of nematode (worm), has been found on the roots. Meloidogyne is a quarantined nematode according to European regulations,” IKEA said in a statement.
The worm causes no risk to the safety or health of consumers but constitutes a danger to plants and nature. There is currently no treatment option for plants infected with the parasite.
The products can be identified by the item numbers: 30432724 and 40432728. The plant can be returned to any IKEA store for a full refund. No proof of purchase or receipt is required, but the plants should be placed in a lined plastic bag before being moved to avoid spreading the parasite.
“IKEA apologises for the inconvenience caused by this recall.”
