Spice safety in 2026: residues, ethylene oxide and how buyers protect themselves

India is the world's largest producer and exporter of spices. Most shipments meet their market's rules, but a few high profile cases have shown how costly a failed lot can be for an importer's brand.

What happened

• In April 2024, authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore recalled some spice mixes from two major Indian brands over ethylene oxide (ETO), a sterilising agent that is not permitted in food in many markets.
• The Spices Board of India responded with a protocol for exporters to prevent ETO contamination, made ETO testing compulsory for shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong, and asked Codex, the international food standards body, to set a limit for ETO in spices.
• The Board has said the failure rate for Indian spice exports in major markets is below 1%.
• In 2026, chilli exporters asked the Spices Board and the Andhra Pradesh government to act after Chinese authorities rejected consignments over pesticide residues, and called for restrictions on high risk pesticides.

Why rejections happen

Most problems come from the farm, not the factory: pesticides used close to harvest, or lots from many small farms mixed together without testing. Rules also differ between markets. A lot that passes in one country can fail in another, and the EU and UK set some of the strictest residue limits.

How buyers protect themselves

• Require a lab report for each lot, from an accredited laboratory, tested against your market's limits.
• Specify steam sterilisation, not ETO, if you need to reduce microbial load.
• Have samples drawn by an independent inspector from the actual lot being shipped, not supplied by the factory.
• Keep traceability back to the processing batch, so a problem can be isolated quickly.

For a full checklist, read Importing spices from India: a buyer's checklist.

Sources

• Business Standard, India asks international committee to set limits on ethylene oxide in spices
• Gulf News, Indian spice trade group fears plunge in exports due to ETO scrutiny
• Maritime Gateway, Chilli exporters seek Spices Board intervention over China rejections
• Drishti IAS, Spices Board of India

This article is general information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Trade rules change often, so confirm the position for your product with your customs broker before you ship.