Tag: Ethylene oxide

Over 500 food items imported into the European Union have been found to contain ethylene oxide residues, a known carcinogen, leading to mass recalls and intense scrutiny of its use in global food processing. Historically, the chemical was valued for its powerful sterilizing and fumigating properties, but its legacy is now defined by widespread bans and health concerns.

The commercial demand for taurine has surpassed natural extraction methods, with production volumes exceeding 60,000 tons annually. As a result, the vast majority of taurine in supplements and energy drinks is synthetic, but what is artificial taurine made of and how does it compare to its natural counterpart?

In April 2023, multiple countries issued recalls for the popular Indonesian instant noodle brand Indomie after regulators found traces of a cancer-causing chemical. This discovery triggered a widespread consumer panic and raised international questions about food safety regulations and the varying standards between different countries.

In 2022, a viral news story prompted major consumer concern over whether pancit canton had pesticide, specifically after certain batches were recalled in Europe. The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated the issue and provided clarifications on the safety of locally manufactured products.

According to Europe's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), numerous food recalls have been issued since 2020 due to ethylene oxide contamination. To address this serious health concern, it is crucial to understand how to find ethylene oxide in food and what advanced techniques are used.

In 2020, thousands of food products were recalled across the European Union due to contamination with ethylene oxide, revealing widespread supply chain issues and drawing international attention to this industrial chemical. Originally used as a fumigant and sterilant, its presence in food has led to serious health concerns and regulatory action in many countries.

While banned in the European Union and other regions, ethylene oxide is historically and, in some countries, currently used as a fumigant and sterilizing agent for certain food products like spices and herbs. Concerns over its carcinogenic and mutagenic properties have led to widespread recalls and stricter regulations, raising the question of what is ethylene oxide used for in food and whether it is safe.

In September 2020, recalls of sesame seed products across the EU due to unauthorized levels of ethylene oxide brought significant attention to food safety concerns, prompting many to question: are non-organic sesame seeds safe to eat?. While a nutritious part of many diets, conventionally grown seeds can carry certain risks not typically associated with their organic counterparts.

In 2020, Europe initiated massive recalls of sesame seeds and products due to high levels of the unauthorized pesticide ethylene oxide, raising a critical question for many consumers: **Do sesame seeds need to be organic**?. This event highlighted the potential risks in the global food supply chain and prompted a closer look at the differences between organic and conventional options.