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G.K. Nair

Kochi , Nov. 14

THE Spices Board has decided to collect samples of all varieties of whole chillies to be exported for laboratory tests, to ensure that the chilles do not contain aflatoxin above the tolerance limit.

Besides, samples from export consignments of chilli powder and other products containing chillies would also be analysed for level of aflatoxin, Mr S. Kannan, Director, Marketing, Spices Board, told Business Line. Of late, the authorities in the US and Europe are strict about the presence of aflatoxin in the chillies. The tolerance limit for chillies fixed by the European Union is 10 parts per billion while it is 15 parts per billion in the US, he said. Given this situation the "scope of the Circular No MD/CHI/01/03 is extended to all varieties of whole chillies to be exported with effect from November 17," he added.

Through the earlier circular dated October 9, the Board had directed spices exporters to provide details of their export consignments and samples to the Board or any of its office for laboratory testing and clearance about the presence of Sudan 1.

The new procedure has been introduced following the detection of prohibited carcinogenic dye Sudan-1 in some export consignments of chilli power. The European Union (EU), Mr Kannan said, had since mandated that each consignment of hot chilli and chilli products imported into EU must accompany an analytical report demonstrating that these products do not contain Sudan-1.

The European Spice Trade Association had subsequently asked the Spices Board to indicate as to what steps were being taken to ensure reliability and safety to spice products exported from India, Mr Kannan added.

All exporters intending to export chilli powder or any other spice product containing chilli, excluding chilli oil and oleoresin, to any destination, should notify the Board's nearest office and the head office in the prescribed format giving all details about the export consignment, at least 48 hours before shipment, and assist the Board or any agency designated by it, to draw samples from the export consignment, he said.

The containers would be sealed in the presence of concerned official/agency soon after samples are drawn, he said. The samples would be analysed in the Board's laboratory or any other designated laboratory for the presence of Sudan-1.

However, if the exporter is confident that the consignment is free of adulterant, shipment may be effected. At his option, exporter could wait for the receipt of analytical report from the Spices Board prior to shipment. In case consignments have left and the analysis indicated the presence of contaminants, the buyer will be notified and the shipment would be called back at the risk and cost of the exporter, Mr Kannan said.

The cost of the procedure would be debited to the exporter. This arrangement, he said, would be reviewed after three months.

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