ETO - Export Regulations
Ethylene oxide is a known toxic gaseous organic compound with a specific ethereal odor. It is used as a pesticide to control pests. Ethylene oxide has the potential to destroy most of the bacterial, fungus and also viruses including bacterial spores. Exposure to ETO is reported to cause major health problems.
The recent recall of Sesame seeds exported from India due to the RASFF alert has put the spotlight on the issue of ETO residues in food. From September 2020 to February 2021, there were more than 500 recalls of food products in the EU because of ETO residue contamination.
The EU has released the regulation (EU) 2020/1540 and the same is published in the official Journal of the EU. It strengthens the control of sesame seeds at the borders. In addition to the analysis for salmonella, testing of Ethylene oxide and other pesticides need to be carried out
The maximum residue level of 0,05 mg/kg is applicable for ethylene oxide in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
Link to the EC regulation
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32020R1540&from=FR
EU has proposed separate Maximum residual limits (MRLs) for ethylene oxide and its primary metabolite 2-chloroethanol in different food and agriculture commodity ranging from 0.02 to 0.1 mg/kg (Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/868).
Due to the mutagenic properties it possesses, International for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified ETO as a human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide may also form ethylene glycol (EG) and ethylene chlorohydrin (ECH) during chemical reactions, which are also toxic.
