In a move aimed at enhancing food safety standards and fostering consistency within the industry, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has introduced a proposal to establish a limit on ethylene oxide in food additives, mirroring regulations in the European Union (EU). Ethylene oxide, a chemical with various applications including as a sterilizing agent, poses potential harm and is not authorized for use in food products. The proposed limit, consistent with the EU’s standard set in September 2022, is intended to mitigate risks associated with ethylene oxide contamination while providing clarity to both industry stakeholders and enforcement agencies.

Incidents involving ethylene oxide contamination, and its breakdown product 2-chloro-ethanol, have been documented across the UK and Europe. Notably, a significant contamination event involving sesame seeds from India in September 2020 prompted the largest food recall operation in EU history. Despite ongoing recalls, instances of ethylene oxide contamination persist, necessitating regulatory action to safeguard public health.

The proposed regulation requires businesses to conduct root cause analyses to identify contamination sources and strive to procure ethylene oxide-free additives, although challenges persist in sourcing uncontaminated products, impacting the food supply chain. UK investigations attribute incidents primarily to changes in manufacturing processes rather than deliberate misuse.

Aligning with EU standards, any food additive containing ethylene oxide above the proposed 0.1 mg/kg limit would necessitate product withdrawal. Additionally, FSA and Food Standards Scotland should be notified of any ethylene oxide detection in infant formula. Setting the limit at 0.1 mg/kg would also trigger revisions to current limits for eight other food additives, ensuring consistency with EU regulations.

The proposal aims to eliminate divergence from EU standards, providing clarity and uniformity to the industry and facilitating the sale of products in both UK and EU markets. The consultation, inclusive of novel food and food additive applications, as well as plans to remove approval for certain food flavorings, is open for public feedback until March 25. Ministerial decisions on the proposed limit are anticipated thereafter, with a similar consultation initiated by Food Standards Scotland concurrently, concluding on March 29.