New Delhi: India has taken several steps to prevent contamination of ETO (ethylene oxide), a carcinogenic chemical, in spices exported from India, a senior government official said on Wednesday.
These steps were taken after reports of recall of products of two Indian spice brands in Singapore and Hong Kong due to the presence of EtO residues in some spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest.
"The Spices Board has taken steps to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spice exports in these areas," Amardeep Singh Bhatia, additional secretary in the commerce ministry, told reporters here.
The Board has made it mandatory to test such consignments sent to these two countries.
A techno-scientific committee has also conducted root cause analysis, inspected processing facilities, and collected samples for testing in accredited laboratories."In response to the Committee's recommendations, mandatory sampling and testing for EtO residues has been implemented for all spice shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong from May 7, 2024," he said. He said guidelines for ET treatment have also been reiterated to all exporters. ,
He said India has also taken up the matter with the Codex Committee to set limits for the use of ETO as different countries have different limits.
Furthermore, there is no standard for EtO testing. India has given a proposal for this.
To develop and extend worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs, and to consult with other international organizations in the standards development process, CCSCH (Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs) was formed in 2011. Was done with the support of more than 100 countries.In food products, sample failure occurs to some extent and in India sample failure is less than 1 percent.
The Spices Board has issued comprehensive guidelines for exporters to prevent ethylene oxide contamination in products shipped from India, following quality concerns raised by some countries over these items.
In 2023-24, India's spice exports were to total US$4.25 billion, accounting for 1 per cent of global spice exports.
Major spices exported from India include chilli powder which tops the list with exports worth US$ 1.3 billion, followed by cumin with US$ 550 million, turmeric at US$ 220 million, cardamom at US$ 130 million, Mixed spices worth US$110 million and spice oils. and oleoresin at US$1 billion.Other notable exports were asafoetida, saffron, fennel, nutmeg, mace, cloves, cinnamon.
These steps were taken after reports of recall of products of two Indian spice brands in Singapore and Hong Kong due to the presence of EtO residues in some spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest.
"The Spices Board has taken steps to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spice exports in these areas," Amardeep Singh Bhatia, additional secretary in the commerce ministry, told reporters here.
The Board has made it mandatory to test such consignments sent to these two countries.
A techno-scientific committee has also conducted root cause analysis, inspected processing facilities, and collected samples for testing in accredited laboratories."In response to the Committee's recommendations, mandatory sampling and testing for EtO residues has been implemented for all spice shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong from May 7, 2024," he said. He said guidelines for ET treatment have also been reiterated to all exporters. ,
He said India has also taken up the matter with the Codex Committee to set limits for the use of ETO as different countries have different limits.
Furthermore, there is no standard for EtO testing. India has given a proposal for this.
To develop and extend worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs, and to consult with other international organizations in the standards development process, CCSCH (Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs) was formed in 2011. Was done with the support of more than 100 countries.In food products, sample failure occurs to some extent and in India sample failure is less than 1 percent.
The Spices Board has issued comprehensive guidelines for exporters to prevent ethylene oxide contamination in products shipped from India, following quality concerns raised by some countries over these items.
In 2023-24, India's spice exports were to total US$4.25 billion, accounting for 1 per cent of global spice exports.
Major spices exported from India include chilli powder which tops the list with exports worth US$ 1.3 billion, followed by cumin with US$ 550 million, turmeric at US$ 220 million, cardamom at US$ 130 million, Mixed spices worth US$110 million and spice oils. and oleoresin at US$1 billion.Other notable exports were asafoetida, saffron, fennel, nutmeg, mace, cloves, cinnamon.
