Date : 24-04-2024
The presence of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic chemical, in Indian food products has triggered bans in Hong Kong and Singapore, and raised alarms within the European Union. Despite routine detection by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), proactive measures to ban the chemical’s usage remain absent.
From September 2020 to April 2024, European food safety authorities identified contamination in 527 Indian products, predominantly nuts and sesame seeds, herbs and spices, dietetic foods, and other food items. Of these, 87 consignments were rejected at the border, with many others later removed from markets. Ethylene oxide, primarily used as a pesticide and sterilizing agent, has been linked to serious health risks including lymphoma and leukemia.
Data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) highlights ethylene oxide’s presence in 525 food products and two feed products, originating mostly from India. Jubin George Joseph, Chief Operating Officer of Ramaiah Advanced Testing Labs, warned of additional chemicals produced by ethylene oxide’s presence in food, citing the deadly cases of ethylene glycol contamination in cough syrups in Africa. He emphasized the urgency for the Indian government to explore safer alternatives, such as gamma ray treatment.
Concerns were raised by activists regarding the quality of exported products and the necessity for stringent safety checks. Despite the EU imposing a 0.1 mg/kg limit on ethylene oxide, contaminations persisted in Indian exports, prompting calls for stricter testing protocols and adherence to quality standards.
In September 2021, the Spices Board advised exporters to test for ethylene oxide, yet contamination incidents continued into 2022 and 2023, indicating a failure to meet quality benchmarks. The prevalent use of ethylene oxide for sterilization against bacteria underscores the need for comprehensive testing and exploration of safer alternatives to ensure food safety and quality in Indian exports.
