Southern States - Kerala   

Test made mandatory for export of chillies

By K. Venkiteswaran

KOCHI Nov. 7. The presence of the prohibited carcinogenic dye, `Sudan-1', in some consignments of chilli powder exported from the country has compelled the Kochi-based Spices Board to insist on mandatory test for export of chillies.

According to official sources here, reports had been received earlier about product recalls in a number of countries on account of contamination in chilli powder. The European Union has mandated that each consignment of hot chilli and chilli products imported into the EU must have an analytical report demonstrating that the chilli product does not contain `Sudan 1', sources pointed out.

Exporters of chilli powder or any other spice products containing chilli, excluding chilli oil and oleoresin, to any destination should notify the nearest Spices Board office and head office here to draw samples from the export consignment. This decision has come into effect from the last week of October in the wake of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, directions of the EU besides on the request of the European Spice Trade Association. This arrangement will be reviewed after three months, official sources said here today.

Exporters have to intimate the details of the shipment to the office of the Spices Board in the prescribed format at least 48 hours before shipment and assist the Spices Board or any agency designated by it, to draw samples from the export consignment. The containers would have to be sealed in the presence of the official/agency concerned soon after samples are drawn to ensure that the samples represent materials intended to be actually exported. The samples drawn will be analysed at the Spices Board laboratory or any other designated laboratory for the presence of `Sudan Red -1'. The shipment can be effected without the analytical report if the exporter is confident that the consignment is adulterant-free. In case of the consignments shipped and if the analysis indicates the presence of contaminants, the buyer will be notified and the shipment would have to be recalled at the risk and cost of the exporter. The cost of the procedures will be debited to the exporter.

Meanwhile, according to official estimates, the export of spices from the country during the first half of the financial year has marginally registered a decrease compared to the corresponding period last year.

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