LONDON: The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) on Thursday clarified that it has additional control measures in place for pesticide residues in Indian spices since earlier this year.
Rejecting reports of any additional steps being taken recently, the country's food watchdog said it has an early warning system (EWS) in place for maximum residue levels of ethylene oxide (ETO) – a food contaminant that is banned in the UK. Not allowed in - Various spices in India since the beginning of last year.
This comes amid reports of concerns over EtO levels in some Indian spices which have led to Hong Kong and Singapore banning some Indian spice products.
"In response to concerns, earlier this year we implemented additional control measures for pesticide residues in Indian spices, including ethylene oxide," said Natasha Smith, deputy director of food policy at the FSA.
“Here (in the UK) the use of ethylene oxide is not permitted, and maximum levels (or maximum residue levels) are in place for herbs and spices.If there is any unsafe food or food on the market, the FSA will take prompt action to ensure the safety of consumers,” she said.
Ethylene oxide (ETO) is commonly used overseas to control the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella, although in the UK the use of ETO is not permitted with maximum residue levels for commodities including herbs and spices. .
The FSA said it is already issuing early warning alerts for ETO in various spices from India from January 2023. This is through its monthly import EW notifications to enforcement officers at UK ports and local authorities. This encourages enforcement officers to carry out surveillance sampling for EtOs which could be used to justify amendments to UK official control legislation, the watchdog notes.The FSA said food businesses are required to ensure that food is both safe and compliant, so if items are found above maximum residue levels, the food business must assess and take action.
It added, "We review the controls we apply to both imported high-risk food and food of non-animal origin on a regular basis to ensure that consumers continue to have access to safe imported food and feed."
According to the Spices Board of India, India is one of the world's leading spice producers, exporting over 200 spices and value-added products worth US$4 billion to around 180 countries in 2021-22.
Last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted the sale of some spices produced by MD and Everest over suspected high levels of EtO, which is linked to some cancers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has since taken steps to check the quality of powdered spices of various brands in the country.
Rejecting reports of any additional steps being taken recently, the country's food watchdog said it has an early warning system (EWS) in place for maximum residue levels of ethylene oxide (ETO) – a food contaminant that is banned in the UK. Not allowed in - Various spices in India since the beginning of last year.
This comes amid reports of concerns over EtO levels in some Indian spices which have led to Hong Kong and Singapore banning some Indian spice products.
"In response to concerns, earlier this year we implemented additional control measures for pesticide residues in Indian spices, including ethylene oxide," said Natasha Smith, deputy director of food policy at the FSA.
“Here (in the UK) the use of ethylene oxide is not permitted, and maximum levels (or maximum residue levels) are in place for herbs and spices.If there is any unsafe food or food on the market, the FSA will take prompt action to ensure the safety of consumers,” she said.
Ethylene oxide (ETO) is commonly used overseas to control the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella, although in the UK the use of ETO is not permitted with maximum residue levels for commodities including herbs and spices. .
The FSA said it is already issuing early warning alerts for ETO in various spices from India from January 2023. This is through its monthly import EW notifications to enforcement officers at UK ports and local authorities. This encourages enforcement officers to carry out surveillance sampling for EtOs which could be used to justify amendments to UK official control legislation, the watchdog notes.The FSA said food businesses are required to ensure that food is both safe and compliant, so if items are found above maximum residue levels, the food business must assess and take action.
It added, "We review the controls we apply to both imported high-risk food and food of non-animal origin on a regular basis to ensure that consumers continue to have access to safe imported food and feed."
According to the Spices Board of India, India is one of the world's leading spice producers, exporting over 200 spices and value-added products worth US$4 billion to around 180 countries in 2021-22.
Last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted the sale of some spices produced by MD and Everest over suspected high levels of EtO, which is linked to some cancers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has since taken steps to check the quality of powdered spices of various brands in the country.
