The latest EU requirements to strictly control ethylene oxide

According to CCTV report, recently the European Union Food Safety Agency  notified that a foreign company whose instant noodles exported to Germany in January and March this year were detected the first-level carcinogen ethylene oxide. The maximum value exceeds 148 times the EU standard value. A notice of suspension of sales and recall has been issued to Europe by this company.

What is ethylene oxide?

Ethylene oxide is a genetically toxic substance that can cause vomiting, headache, breathing difficulties, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, eye and skin damage, and even affect reproductive ability. Long-term intake may cause cancer; even low concentrations of ring Oxyethane, long-term exposure can also cause neurasthenia syndrome and autonomic dysfunction.

Therefore, due to toxicological considerations, many countries have eliminated  food which fumigated by ethylene oxide.

The Necessity of Ethylene Oxide Testing Limit

Health hazards: It is a central nervous system depressant, stimulant and puree poison.

Chronic effects: long-term exposure to small amounts may cause neurasthenia syndrome and autonomic dysfunction .

Environmental hazards: hazardous to the environment.

Explosion hazard: It is flammable, toxic, carcinogenic, irritating, and allergenic.

Acute poisoning: The patient has severe pulsating headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, tearing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing; the severe has muscle tremor, speech disorder, ataxia, sweating, confusion, and coma. Can also cause Myocardial damage and abnormal liver function. After rescue and recovery, there may be transient mental disorders, delayed functional aphonia or central hemiplegia. Redness and swelling occurs rapidly after skin contact, and blisters after a few hours. Repeated contact can cause sensitization. Liquid splashed into the eyes can cause corneal burns.

On October 27th, 2017,  ethylene oxide was included in the carcinogens list  which initially compiled for reference and published by the International Research Agency on Cancer of World Health Organization.

In our country, currently ethylene oxide is not a legally food disinfectant and insecticide. my country’s "Disinfection Technical Specifications" (2002 Edition) (Weifa Jianfa [2002] No. 282) clearly stipulates that ethylene oxide Not suitable for food sterilization.

In other countries, because ethylene oxide has a very good bactericidal and insecticidal effect, ethylene oxide is often used to fumigate factories, warehouses and even food, especially grains, oil crops, spices, dried vegetables, etc. But other countries also have formulated clear limit requirements for Certain products, mainly in food and pharmaceuticals, such as the United States, Canada, and the European Union.

Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, New Zealand and other countries successively issued warnings on ethylene oxide excess

Germany - Unauthorized substance ethylene oxide in ginger extract used in food supplements

Netherlands - ethylene oxide detection in organic soya crea

Netherlands - Ethylene oxide in Guar gum

Romania - ethylene oxide in the ingredient used for Ice Cream

Therefore, for products that involve edible or long-term exposure, the amount of ethylene oxide must be limited to avoid unexpected situations caused by excessive ethylene oxide.

Nuoz Biological is a manufacturer that produces pesticide-free ginseng extract, schisandra extract, organic rosemary extract and centella asiatica extract, 

In order to provide healthy food to all over the world.  Nuoz biological commit to  all round solve pesticide residues, plasticizer residues, heavy metal residues, paHs residues and other problems since its establishment.   

In regard to Ethylene oxide, our processing technology  is quite mature and passed  the third-party test.