EU Changing Rules on Ethylene Oxide as Food Additive

A notice in the Official Journal of the European Union has announced a tightening of restrictions on the allowable amount of ethylene oxide, “an important chemical substance having multiple uses, including the use as a sterilising agent and as a raw material in the manufacture of various products,” that is “a substance of concern classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction.”

The current regulation dictates that ethylene oxide may not be used for sterilizing purposes in food additives, but it did not set a quantified limit on the allowable amount for all food additives. Under the amended regulation, which is set to take effect in September 2022, ethylene oxide will not be authorized for food additives, and a residue of the substance above 0.1 mg/kg will be in violation of the rule.