EU flagged cancer-causing chemicals in 527 Indian food products
The European Union’s food safety authorities have flagged the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in 527 food Indian products. This comes after India’s most known spice brands, including MDH and Everest, were scrutinized for allegedly containing traces of ethylene oxide, a chemical, above the permissible levels.
Ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic chemical that led to the ban of Indian products in Hong Kong and Singapore due to its traces, has been regularly detected in Indian products by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). According to a report by Declan Herald, citing data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), European Union food safety authorities found contamination in 527 products linked to India between September 2020 and April 2024.
These contaminations were primarily nuts and sesame seeds, herbs and spices, and dietetic foods, among other food items. Out of 527 products, 87 consignments were rejected at the border, and many others were later removed from the markets.
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