New Delhi: European Union (EU) food safety authorities have raised serious concerns about the presence of a cancer-causing chemical in hundreds of food products linked to India. Between September 2020 and April 2024, a staggering 527 items were found to be contaminated with ethylene oxide, raising questions about food safety standards in India.Nuts, seeds and spices most affectedThe majority of contaminated products (313) belonged to the nuts and sesame seeds category, highlighting a potential vulnerability in this sector. Herbs and spices (60), dietetic foods (48), and other miscellaneous food items (34) were also impacted. Worryingly, 87 consignments were rejected at EU borders, while others were removed from shelves after detection.Ethylene Oxide: A pernicious threatEthylene oxide, originally used for medical device sterilization, is a colorless gas commonly employed as a pesticide and fumigant. Despite its industrial applications, the chemical is classified as a carcinogen by health agencies due to its links to cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.Indias response: Room for improvementData from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reveals that India was identified as the sole country of origin for 332 contaminated products. While the EU has set a strict limit of 0.1 mg/kg for ethylene oxide residue, Indian exports seem to be falling short of this benchmark. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of current food safety regulations and enforcement mechanisms in India.Experts call for safer alternativesExperts like Jubin George Joseph, Chief Operating Officer of Ramaiah Advanced Testing Labs, emphasize the need for exploring safer alternatives. Joseph suggests methods like gamma ray treatment, a well-established sterilization technique, as a potential replacement for ethylene oxide.Consumer safety top priorityConsumer activists highlight the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that exported products should represent the highest quality standards. The presence of contaminants in export items raises questions about the safety of food products consumed domestically.FSSAI needs to address the issueWhile a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is awaited, the situation underscores the need for stricter regulations and robust testing procedures to ensure the safety of Indian food exports and domestic consumption.
