EU Finds No New ETO Cases in Indian Organic Exports Post-Dec 2020

In a significant development for India's organic export sector, no new instances of ethylene oxide (ETO), a carcinogenic pesticide, have been reported in exports to the European Union (EU) since December 2020. This achievement comes after the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a branch of the commerce ministry, implemented stringent control measures against ETO residues in exports. These measures cover a wide range of products including fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, pulses, and certified organic items intended for the EU market.

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APEDA has authorized 33 laboratories for the analysis of ETO in food products, enhancing the monitoring and safety of Indian exports. An online module for tracking sampling and analysis of high-risk products has been operational since November 2021, further strengthening the oversight mechanism. The EU had previously issued notifications regarding the detection of ETO, primarily in organic sesame seeds and subsequently in other organic products like Amaranth, Flax seed, Psyllium Husk, Caraway, Quinoa, and Fenugreek during the 2020-2021 period.

Despite these challenges, the rigorous implementation of control measures has resulted in a significant improvement, with only one irregularity reported in June 2023 involving organic cumin. The certification body involved has faced penalties and restrictions due to this incident. APEDA continues to maintain vigilant oversight to preserve the integrity and quality of India's organic export ecosystem.

The detection of ETO is taken with utmost seriousness by APEDA, which oversees India's Organic Export Programme under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). In response to earlier findings of non-compliance, sanctions were imposed on 12 organic operators and six Certification Bodies. Additionally, an advisory was issued in November 2020 urging all certification bodies to conduct thorough risk assessments and carry out additional inspections as necessary.

ETO presence has also been flagged in certain Indian spice brands by Singapore and Hong Kong. In response, the Spices Board has announced plans to initiate mandatory testing for consignments destined for these countries. This move underscores India's commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of its organic exports on a global scale.

The concerted efforts by APEDA and related bodies demonstrate India's proactive stance in addressing concerns related to food safety standards. By implementing robust control measures and maintaining strict vigilance, India aims to sustain the growth of its organic export sector while ensuring compliance with international health and safety standards.