India has introduced detailed guidelines to prevent EtO contamination in spices intended for export, an official stated on May 20, according to PTI. Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a carcinogenic chemical.
In addition to these guidelines, the government has mandated the testing of spices exported to Singapore and Hong Kong, following the recall of MDH and Everest spice products in these regions due to EtO residues. “Mandatory pre-shipment sampling and testing for EtO for Singapore and Hong Kong has commenced, and comprehensive guidelines have been established for all exporters to prevent EtO contamination at every stage of the supply chain,” the official said.
The Spices Board is conducting periodic sampling from exporters, and corrective measures are enforced based on these tests. Another official explained that the failure rate of food samples is minimal, with less than 1% non-compliance. In 2023-24, 99.8% of approximately 1.4 million tonnes of spices met quality standards, with only 0.2% being non-compliant. In comparison, 0.73% of imported food consignments were non-compliant. Alerts for EtO in Indian food exports to the EU have significantly declined.
Countries have varying maximum residue limits (MRLs) for EtO; for instance, the EU sets it at 0.02 to 0.1 mg per kg, Singapore at 50 mg per kg, and Japan at 0.01 mg per kg. These limits are based on country-specific agricultural practices and dietary patterns, with no international standard for EtO.
Ethylene oxide, used in the food industry to reduce bacteria, yeast, mold, and coliforms, is volatile and converts to chloro ethylene (CE) if not properly aerated. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not conclusively determined the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of 2-CE, making a standard risk assessment impossible. “The impact of EtO residue and 2-CE in food is still unresolved,” the official added.
India’s food products are generally compliant with global standards, with a low rejection rate. The country’s spice exports reached $4.25 billion in 2023-24, up from $3.7 billion in 2022-23, accounting for 12% of global spice exports.
