In the recent past, sesame and sesame products have repeatedly been recalled from the market due to ethylene oxide residues. A recent test checked sesame seeds and foods with sesame seeds and found that four out of 44 products still had elevated levels of ethylene oxide.
Ethylene oxide is a pesticide with which sesame seeds are fumigated to kill bacteria and fungi. The use of ethylene oxide in pesticides is banned within the EU, but it is widely used in India, for example. According to a health assessment by the BfR , ethylene oxide is considered to be "mutagenic and carcinogenic".
According to Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005, a legally permitted maximum residue level for ethylene oxide of 0.05 mg / kg in sesame applies within the EU.
Bilacon supports you in checking your products with regard to the analysis of ethylene oxide residues. We also check your products for 2-chloroethanol, the conversion product of ethylene oxide, and calculate the sum of both. If you wish, you can receive the results as an express analysis within 12 hours.
Roy Sperling
roy.sperling@tentamus.com
+49 (0) 30 206 038 320
Source: Stiftung Warentest
