UK food regulator confirms extra measures to monitor spices' supply from India

UK's sensor on spices: UK’s Food Standards ncy (FSA) has said that country has since last one year, reined in ditional control measures for pesticide residues in spices imported from India. UKFSA's reaffirming systems of checks and balances in imports of spices has come after recent reports suggesting that new steps were recently implemented.

FSA emphasised its existing early warning system (EWS) for monitoring maximum residue levels of ethylene oxide (ETO), a banned food contaminant in UK, in various spices from India since early last year.

Amidst concerns over ETO levels leing to bans on certain Indian spices in Hong Kong and Singapore, Natasha Smith, Deputy Director of Food Policy at FSA said, “Earlier this year, we applied extra control measures for pesticide residues in spices from India, including ethylene oxide.” 

She reiterated that use of ETO is prohibited in UK and that stringent maximum residue levels are enforced for herbs and spices. “If re is any unsafe food on market, FSA will take rapid action to ensure consumer protection,” Smith ded.

UK's alert on pathogens 

use of ETO to control pathogens such as salmonella, is t allowed in UK. FSA has been issuing early warning alerts for ETO in Indian spices since before January 2023, via monthly EWS tifications to enforcement officers at UK ports and local authorities. se alerts prompt officers to conduct surveillance sampling for ETO, potentially leing to amendments in UK official controls legislation.

FSA emphasised that food businesses are responsible for ensuring ir products are safe and compliant. If commodities exceed maximum residue levels, businesses must assess and take corrective action. ncy regularly reviews controls on imported high-risk food and feed to ensure consumer safety.

India, one of world's leing spice producers, exported over 200 spices and value-ded products worth USD 4 billion to 180 countries in 2021-22, according to Spices Board of India.

In response to Singapore and Hong Kong halting sales of MDH and Everest spices over suspected elevated ETO levels, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has begun examining quality of powdered spices from various brands in country.

(With Reuters inputs)