TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Between September 2020 and April 2024, food safety authorities in the European Union detected contamination in 527 products linked to India. The
EXPLANATION:
- majority of these products included nuts and sesame seeds, herbs and spices, dietetic foods, and other food products.
Presence of Ethylene Oxide
- The European Food Safety Authority discovered the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical, in numerous Indian food products.
- Ethylene oxide, originally intended for sterilizing medical devices, is now used as a pesticide and sterilizing agent in the food industry.
- Exposure to ethylene oxide is associated with various health risks, including lymphoma and leukemia.
- Additionally, the chemical can lead to the formation of other hazardous compounds such as ethylene glycol, which has caused fatalities in the past, particularly in cough syrups in Africa.
Response and Suggestions
- Experts emphasize the need for proactive measures to address the contamination issue.
- Chief Operating Officer at Ramaiah Advanced Testing Labs underscores the importance of exploring safe alternatives to ethylene oxide and conducting studies to assess their feasibility.
- There is a call for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Union government to undertake studies and encourage industries to adopt alternative sterilization methods, such as gamma ray treatment.
- Concerns are raised regarding the quality of exported products, highlighting the necessity for thorough safety checks in local markets as well.
- Despite advisories from authorities like the Spices Board to test for ethylene oxide, contamination incidents persist, indicating the need for enhanced quality control measures.
Ethylene oxide:
- It is a colourless, flammable gas with a sweet odor. It is industrially produced by oxidizing ethylene in the presence of a silver catalyst.
- It is used as a pesticide and sterilizing agent for medical equipment.
- Ethylene oxide, with the chemical formula C₂H₄O, is a significant organic compound used in various industrial applications.
- It is a cyclic ether and the simplest epoxide, characterized by a three-membered ring comprising one oxygen atom and two carbon atoms.
- Ethylene oxide is a versatile raw material employed in the production of a wide range of consumer products, detergents, thickeners, solvents, plastics, and various organic chemicals like ethylene glycol and ethanolamines.
- Despite its utility, ethylene oxide poses significant hazards due to its flammability, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, irritant properties, and anesthetic effects.
- It is used as a surface disinfectant in medical settings and is a key component in thermobaric weapons.
- Exposure to ethylene oxide can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or environmental contact, with potential health risks including DNA damage, cancer, and other adverse effects.
- Workers in industries utilizing ethylene oxide, such as those involved in antifreeze production, textiles, detergents, and medical equipment sterilization, are particularly at risk.
SOURCE: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/eu-found-cancer-causing-chemical-in-527-indian-items-2991515
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