EU Detects Cancer-Causing Chemical in Indian Food Products, Calls for Investigation

The European Union has detected the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical, in a wide range of food products imported from India.

According to data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), EU authorities have identified contamination in 527 Indian food products between September 2020 and April 2024, primarily in nuts, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, and dietetic foods. "Out of these, 87 shipments were rejected at the border, and many others were withdrawn from the markets later," the report states.

Ethylene oxide, a colorless gas used as a pesticide and sterilizing agent, is linked to lymphoma, leukemia, and other cancers. The EU has established a limit of 0.1 mg/kg for ethylene oxide in food products. However, the widespread use of the chemical to sterilize products against pathogens and the lack of comprehensive testing have hindered a full understanding of its prevalence in Indian exports.

The presence of ethylene oxide and its toxic breakdown products, such as ethylene glycol, in exported goods has raised concerns about the need for stringent safety checks on both exported and local products in India. The Spices Board of India had advised exporters to conduct tests for the chemical, but 121 contaminated products were still detected in 2022 and 2023.

Why this matters: The detection of cancer-causing chemicals in Indian food exports raises serious health concerns and could potentially impact India's trade relations with the European Union. It highlights the need for more rigorous testing and regulation of food products to ensure consumer safety both domestically and internationally.

The European Food Safety Authority has been conducting routine checks and flagging the issue, leading to the identification of 468 contaminated food products in 2020-21. "The EU has recommended an investigation into the causes of this widespread contamination," the report adds. Indian regulatory authorities are now testing popular spice brands like MDH and Everest for the presence of ethylene oxide, following bans in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Key Takeaways

• EU detected cancer-causing ethylene oxide in 527 Indian food products since 2020.
• 87 contaminated shipments were rejected at the EU border, and many others were withdrawn.
• Widespread use of ethylene oxide for sterilization hinders full understanding of prevalence.
• The presence of ethylene oxide raises health concerns and may impact India-EU trade.
• Indian regulators now testing popular spice brands following bans in Singapore and Hong Kong.