Ethylene Oxide (ETO) is a fumigant gas long known for its fungicidal and bactericidal qualities. This technique is listed in the Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices and Herbs, which sets international food standards.
It is also legally used in some countries, such as the United States. When Europe sets the maximum residue limit (MRL) at the threshold of the detection limit (i.e. 0.05 mg / kg on seeds and herbs and 0.1 mg / kg on spices), the US authorities allow levels of up to 7 mg / kg in food.
But surprisingly, this molecule was not sought after in Europe in routine analysis. Many distributors even admit to having discovered its existence at the time of the sesame scandal. In recent years, however, several alerts had been issued by the European authorities. In 2015, ethylene oxide up to 2.5 mg / kg was detected in black pepper produced in Vietnam.
In 2018, it was very heavily contaminated powdered black pepper (72.4 mg / kg ETO) that was spotted, coming from India. In December 2019, the German health authorities discovered 0.9 mg / kg in cumin seeds also of Indian origin.
Since September 2020 and the first alerts on sesame, manufacturers have systematized controls and broadened the spectrum. And when we look, we find: traces of ethylene oxide are observed on products other than sesame …
At Spigol, dehydrated shallots of the Espig brand have been recalled since January 2021. Bertrand Cosse, director general de Spigol, confirms it straight away: “No, there is no sesame in these shallots. Different products are affected by this ethylene oxide problem, beyond sesame”.
Two other ingredients tested positive for ETO have been reported by European authorities: organic amaranth and a zaatar spice blend from Israel. We can also mention the turmeric powder contained in organic vegetable tuna salad, a preparation based on honey and turmeric “due to the potential presence of ethylene oxide.”
Another ingredient in which ETO has been found: blond psyllium, especially consumed for its laxative properties. Two organic products containing it are already being recalled: a food supplement, Hygiaflore psyllium Super Diet (only five bottles have reportedly been sold); and flour for bread dough, pie crust and pastry Ma vie sans gluten sold last December and January.
Ekibio, owner of the brand Ma vie sans gluten, confirms that this psyllium originates from India and indicates that it has widened the controls to “all materials originating in India (spirulina, flax seeds, amaranth, guar gum, chili, sugar)”.
For more information, you can consult:
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The DGCCRF continues to find and recall products contaminated with ethylene oxide
Ethylene Oxide (ETO) is a fumigant gas long known for its fungicidal and bactericidal qualities. This technique is listed in the Codex Alimentarius Code of Hygienic Practice for Spices and Herbs, which sets international food standards.
It is also legally used in some countries, such as the United States. When Europe sets the maximum residue limit (MRL) at the threshold of the detection limit (i.e. 0.05 mg / kg on seeds and herbs and 0.1 mg / kg on spices), the US authorities allow levels of up to 7 mg / kg in food.
But surprisingly, this molecule was not sought after in Europe in routine analysis. Many distributors even admit to having discovered its existence at the time of the sesame scandal. In recent years, however, several alerts had been issued by the European authorities. In 2015, ethylene oxide up to 2.5 mg / kg was detected in black pepper produced in Vietnam.
In 2018, it was very heavily contaminated powdered black pepper (72.4 mg / kg ETO) that was spotted, coming from India. In December 2019, the German health authorities discovered 0.9 mg / kg in cumin seeds also of Indian origin.
Since September 2020 and the first alerts on sesame, manufacturers have systematized controls and broadened the spectrum. And when we look, we find: traces of ethylene oxide are observed on products other than sesame …
At Spigol, dehydrated shallots of the Espig brand have been recalled since January 2021. Bertrand Cosse, director general de Spigol, confirms it straight away: “No, there is no sesame in these shallots. Different products are affected by this ethylene oxide problem, beyond sesame”.
Two other ingredients tested positive for ETO have been reported by European authorities: organic amaranth and a zaatar spice blend from Israel. We can also mention the turmeric powder contained in organic vegetable tuna salad, a preparation based on honey and turmeric “due to the potential presence of ethylene oxide.”
Another ingredient in which ETO has been found: blond psyllium, especially consumed for its laxative properties. Two organic products containing it are already being recalled: a food supplement, Hygiaflore psyllium Super Diet (only five bottles have reportedly been sold); and flour for bread dough, pie crust and pastry Ma vie sans gluten sold last December and January.
Ekibio, owner of the brand Ma vie sans gluten, confirms that this psyllium originates from India and indicates that it has widened the controls to “all materials originating in India (spirulina, flax seeds, amaranth, guar gum, chili, sugar)”.
For more information, you can consult:
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