Context: The Spices Board held consultations with the industry on recall by Hong Kong and Singapore of certain spice mixes sold by Everest and MDH due to concerns of potential Ethylene Oxide (ETO) contamination and examine possible corrective measures.
About Spice Board of India:
- It is a regulatory and export promotion agency for Indian spices and was constituted in 1987 under Spices Board Act 1986.
- It is the flagship organization for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices.
- It is functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- It is headed by a chairman, a rank equivalent to Joint Secretary to the Government of India.
- The board is headquartered in Kochi.
- Functions: Promotion of exports of spices and spice products
- Maintenance and monitoring of quality of exports
- Development and implementation of better production methods, through scientific, technological and economic research.
- Guidance to farmers on getting higher and better quality yields through scientific agricultural practices.
- Provision of financial and material support to growers.
- Registration and licensing of all spice exporters.
- Processes and forwards foreign trade enquiries to reliable exporters.
- Organises a common platform for interaction between Indian exporters and international buyers through the World Spice Congress.
- Examines each complaint from importers for corrective and preventive action.
- Spearheads the quality improvement programme for Indian spices.
About Ethylene Oxide (ETO):
- It is a colourless gas or liquid with a faintly sweet odour. It is a flammable and reactive chemical used in a variety of industrial processes .
- It is primarily used as a chemical intermediate in the production of ethylene glycol, which is used to make antifreeze and polyester, to sterilize medical equipment and supplies and also used as a fumigant to control insects and pests in stored products such as grains, spices, and tobacco.
- It is also a potent human carcinogen and can pose significant health risks with prolonged or excessive exposure.
- Short-term exposure can cause respiratory irritation, lung injury, and various neurological effects such as headaches and nausea.
- Long-term or chronic exposure is more concerning, as it has been linked to an increased risk of cancers, particularly lymphoma and leukaemia, and may also cause reproductive harm, such as mutations and miscarriages.