The United Kingdom (UK) has done away with its mandatory requirement to test imports of Indian organic products for ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination since July 1 2022.
Key highlights
- The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had made it compulsory to test Indian organic products from January 1 this year.
- But the order on ETO contamination tests expired on June 30. It means, Indian organic products arriving in the UK need not be tested by the importer anymore. However, Defra will continue to monitor the imports of organic products from India.
- India exported about $1 billion worth of organic products in the last couple of years with the US, EU and Canada being the largest buyers.
About Ethylene oxide (EtO)
- Ethylene oxide (EtO) is produced in large volumes and is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of several industrial chemicals, the most notable of which is ethylene glycol.
- It is also used as a fumigant in certain agricultural products and as a sterilant for medical equipment and supplies.
- Unfortunately, EtO possesses several physical and health hazards that merit special attention. EtO is both flammable and highly reactive.
- Acute exposures to EtO gas may result in respiratory irritation and lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and cyanosis.
- Chronic exposure has been associated with the occurrence of cancer, reproductive effects, mutagenic changes, neurotoxicity, and sensitization.
- The major use of ethylene oxide is as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of ethylene glycol.
- Ethylene oxide is also used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and a fumigating agent for spices.
