ETO testing

Ethylene oxide is a flammable and colourless gas that is commonly used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and supplies, as well as for the production of chemicals used in the manufacture of consumer goods, such as plastics, textiles, and detergents. It is a highly reactive and toxic substance that can be dangerous if not handled properly. Ethylene oxide is also a carcinogen and exposure to it can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, coma or death. Despite its potential hazards, ethylene oxide is widely used in industry due to its effectiveness as a sterilizing agent and its ability to penetrate even the smallest spaces. ^[1-3].

Exposure pathways of ETO in foods ^{(4, 5)}

Ethylene oxide (ETO) can enter food products through various sources and types of exposure. Here are some of the common sources of ETO in food products:

Recall incident ^(6,7)

In recent times, several European countries have experienced an increase in food product recalls due to the detection of ethylene oxide contamination. This contamination was discovered in a food additive known as E410 locust bean gum, which is used in a variety of food products. As a result, the European Commission's Food and Feed Crisis Coordinator has recommended a mass recall of all products containing E410 locust bean gum that have been contaminated with ethylene oxide.

• In 2022, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) in Belgium reported a decrease in the number of product recalls and warnings issued, with 394 instances compared to 492 in the previous year. The majority of recalls, over 80%, were caused by concerns related to chemical or microbiological risks.
• Specifically, in 2022, there were 289 products that were recalled from consumers, which was 98 fewer than the previous year. This decrease was largely attributed to the successful resolution of the problem of ethylene oxide.
• In September of 2020, ethylene oxide contamination was detected in sesame seeds that originated from India. As subsequent testing took place, it was discovered that other raw materials, such as herbs, spices, and locust bean gum, which is a thickening agent commonly used in ice cream and other food products, were also found to be contaminated with the chemical. This led to a number of product recalls throughout Europe, as the presence of ethylene oxide in food products can pose serious health risks to consumers.
  
  

Market overview ⁽⁸⁾

According to a recent report, the global market for ethylene oxide sterilization services had a value of USD 4.4 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.7% between 2023 and 2030.

Regulations and standards ⁽⁹⁾

 The European Commission has announced changes to the regulations concerning the presence of ethylene oxide in food additives. This decision was taken due to the difficulty in enforcing the current legislation, as it is unclear where the ethylene oxide in food additives is originating from. The use of this chemical for food disinfection is not allowed in the EU.

This issue first arose in September 2020 with the discovery of ethylene oxide in sesame seeds from India. In 2020, most Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alerts were related to sesame seed products, but in 2021 and 2022, a range of other products, such as locust bean gum, guar gum, xanthan gum from Turkey, food supplements, and spices, were also found to contain ethylene oxide.

Under the new rules, no residue of ethylene oxide, above 0.1 mg/kg, including the sum of ethylene oxide and 2-chloro-ethanol expressed as ethylene oxide, shall be present in food additives listed in EU legislation, including mixtures of food additives.

Testing methods ⁽¹⁰⁾

There are several testing methods for the detection and quantification of ethylene oxide (ETO) in foods, including:

Eurofins role in ETO testing

Eurofins is a leading international provider of laboratory testing and analytical services, including testing for the presence of ethylene oxide in food products. Eurofins has a range of methods and technologies for detecting and quantifying ethylene oxide in different types of food matrices, including those with low limits of detection. Eurofins offers a variety of testing methods for ethylene oxide, including gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS), and infrared spectroscopy (IR). These methods can be used to detect ethylene oxide in a variety of samples, including air, water, soil, and consumer products. Eurofins laboratories use accredited testing methods and follow strict quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results. They can also provide expert advice and support to businesses and regulatory agencies on matters related to ethylene oxide testing and food safety. Overall, Eurofins plays an important role in ensuring the safety and quality of products that may be exposed to ethylene oxide, and their testing services are widely used by companies in the medical device, pharmaceutical, and food industries to meet regulatory requirements and ensure consumer safety.

References

1. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/ethylene-oxide
2. https://www.osha.gov/ethylene-oxide
3. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ethyleneoxide/default.html
4. https://www.foodwatch.org/en/news/2021/toxic-ethylene-oxide-in-foods/
5. https://www.safefoodadvocacy.eu/ethylene-oxide-in-foods-still-a-long-way-to-go-in-reaching-coordination/
6. https://www.foodqualityandsafety.com/article/eu-recalls-thousands-of-food-products-over-ethylene-oxide-concerns/
7. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/04/belgium-cites-ethylene-oxide-impact-in-recall-decline/
8. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/ethylene-oxide-sterilization-services-market-
9. https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/08/eu-to-tighten-ethylene-oxide-rule-for-food-additives/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3223093/

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