Spices Board India (SBI) mandates Ethylene Oxide (ETO) testing for spice shipments to Singapore, Hong Kong

Posted 04 May 2024

2 min read

Decision follows the suspension of sales of certain spice blends by Singapore and Hong Kong due to elevated levels of ETO.
- ETO is a flammable, colorless gas at room temperature.
- ETO serves as a disinfectant, fumigant, but its usage in food products is regulated due to its cancer-causing nature.

Spices Industry of India
- India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices.
- During 2022-23, the export of spices stood at US$ 3.73 billion (major export destination were china, USA, and Bangladesh)
- India produces about 75 of the 109 varieties of spices which are listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
  - Chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger and coriander makeup about 76% of the total production.
- The largest spice-producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, etc.
Challenges associated with the spices industry: Low Productivity and Poor Product Quality, disappearance of some indigenous varieties, Rejection of Export due to pesticide residues beyond tolerable limits, etc.

Initiatives to promote exports
- Guidelines on preventing ETO contamination in Spices Exports by SBI.
- Export Development and Promotion of Spices.
- Setting up and maintenance of infrastructure for common processing (Spices Parks).

Genesis: Constituted in 1987 under the Spices Board act 1986.
Headquarter: Cochin, Kerala.
Role: Autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom.
India hosts and chairs Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary herbs (CCSCH) set up under Codex Alimentarius Committee.
- SBI serves as its secretariat.
Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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