What Is Ethylene Oxide? Which Cancers Are Associated With Exposure to Ethylene Oxide? Know Health Risks and Side Effects of the Gas Used for Sterilisation of Spices
Despite its effectiveness, ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen and can pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that masalas and spices treated with ethylene oxide are thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption to minimize the risk of exposure.
What you eat sometimes needs more scrutiny than you can imagine because even elements used for the smallest of practises such as sterilisation of spices can make a big difference. Ethylene oxide is a commonly used agent for sterilising masalas and spices. It is effective in killing bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens that may contaminate these products. Liquid Nitrogen, Dry Ice, Synthetic Sweetener Saccharin, Rhodamine-B in Cotton Candy and Manchurian and Ethylene Oxide in Spices! Foods to Avoid for Kids as Well as Adults.
However, ethylene oxide's use in sterilisation has raised concerns due to its potential health risks recently. Despite its effectiveness, ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen and can pose serious health risks if not handled properly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that masalas and spices treated with ethylene oxide are thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption to minimise the risk of exposure. MDH, Everest Masala Row: Food Regulator FSSAI Will Test MDH and Everest Spices, Banned Recently in Singapore and Hong Kong.
What is Ethylene Oxide? Health Risk and Side Effects
Ethylene oxide is a colourless gas used in various industrial processes, including the sterilisation of spices and food ingredients. Despite its effectiveness in killing bacteria and pathogens, ethylene oxide is also a known carcinogen and poses serious health risks when present in food products.
When ethylene oxide comes into contact with food, it can react with proteins and DNA, potentially leading to genetic mutations and cancer development. Ingesting even small amounts of ethylene oxide over a long period can increase the risk of cancer, particularly stomach and blood cancers.
Due to its health risks, many countries have strict regulations regarding the use of ethylene oxide in food. In the European Union, for example, ethylene oxide is not permitted for use in food products. However, in some parts of the world, particularly in developing countries, ethylene oxide is still used as a pesticide and fumigant for food products.
To minimise the risk of exposure to ethylene oxide, consumers should be cautious when purchasing food products, especially imported spices and ingredients. Reading labels and buying from reputable sources can help reduce the risk of consuming food contaminated with ethylene oxide.
While ethylene oxide is an effective sterilising agent, its use in food poses serious health risks. Consumers should be aware of the potential dangers associated with ethylene oxide and take precautions to avoid exposure. Governments and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in monitoring and regulating the use of ethylene oxide in food to protect public health.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 24, 2024 04:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).