Vivek Mishra works as an Assistant Editor with Eastern Eye and has over 13 years of experience in journalism. His areas of interest include politics, international affairs, current events, and sports. With a background in newsroom operations and editorial planning, he has reported and edited stories on major national and global developments.
Days after some Indian spices were banned in Singapore and Hong Kong due to allegedly containing the pesticide ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits, a report states that the European Union has been flagging many Indian food products containing the same cancer-causing chemical in the last few years.
A report in the Indian newspaper Deccan Herald, citing data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), says that the carcinogenic chemical has been consistently detected in Indian goods by the European Food Safety Authority.
From September 2020 to April 2024, the European Union authorities identified contamination in 527 products originating from India. These products primarily included nuts and sesame seeds (313), herbs and spices (60), dietetic foods (48), and other food items (34), according to the newspaper.
Out of these, 87 shipments were rejected at the border, with many others withdrawn from the markets later.
Ethylene oxide, a colorless gas used as a pesticide and sterilising agent, was originally intended for sterilizing medical devices. Exposure to this chemical is linked to lymphoma and leukemia, among other cancers.
Data from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), an online system monitoring food safety in EU member countries, reveals that ethylene oxide was detected in 525 food products and two feed products. While 332 products solely originated from India, other countries were also implicated in the contamination of the remaining items.
Jubin George Joseph, Chief Operating Officer, Ramaiah Advanced Testing Labs, told Deccan Herald that besides direct exposure to ethylene oxide, consumers are susceptible to two more chemicals produced by the presence of the chemical in a food product.
“The most dangerous of these is ethylene glycol, whose presence in cough syrups led to the deaths of children in Africa,” he said.
Joseph said that it is likely that ethylene oxide might be widely used to sterilize products against salmonella and E. coli, citing its affordability. However, he said the lack of widespread testing for the chemical hinders a comprehensive understanding of its prevalence.
“The most dangerous of these is ethylene glycol, whose presence in cough syrups led to the deaths of children in Africa,” he said.
An activist expressed concern over the presence of such chemicals in exported goods, emphasizing the need for stringent safety checks on both exported and local products. “Export products are supposed to be of top quality. If they are contaminated, what we get in local markets needs a thorough safety check,” he said.
There was no response from the FSSAI to the Deccan Herald report.
Due to concerns over ethylene oxide and its toxic breakdown products, the EU has established a limit of 0.1 mg/kg.
In September 2021, the Spices Board of India advised exporters to conduct tests for the chemical. However, the newspaper reported that 121 contaminated products were detected in the country in 2022 and 2023.
Sadiq Khan calls Diwali on the Square a “festival of unity” celebrating London’s diversity.
Thousands gathered at Trafalgar Square for music, dance, food and family-friendly activities.
Organised by Diwali in London Committee with Chinmaya Mission UK as chair.
Deputy High Commissioner Kartik Pande calls Diwali a symbol of India-UK friendship.
MAYOR of London Sadiq Khan described this year’s Diwali on the Square at Trafalgar Square as a festival of unity that brought hundreds of people together over the weekend.
The annual free event, themed “Educate, Illuminate, Celebrate”, drew long queues stretching for miles as crowds gathered for Indian music, dance performances, devotional bhajans, and street food stalls. The family-friendly activities included sari and turban tying, yoga and meditation sessions, henna art, puppet shows, and dance workshops.
“Those of you here are proud Londoners, proudly British, proudly English, but also proudly Hindu, Sikh and Jain; you can be a proud Londoner and celebrate Diwali,” Khan said, addressing the crowd.
“Yet there are people across our country and across the globe that try and divide communities, try and turn one against the other – turn Hindus against Sikhs, or Muslims against Jews, or Christians against Buddhists, you show our city at its very, very best. You show the importance of the teachings of Diwali… how light defeats darkness, good defeats evil,” he said.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to share in the spirit of Diwali on Trafalgar Square today and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.
I wish a very happy Diwali to London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities as they celebrate next week. pic.twitter.com/sollzFChF0 — Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) October 12, 2025
The Mayor said Diwali celebrations in the “most famous square in the world” represent why London is the “greatest city in the world”.
Diwali on the Square was organised in partnership with the volunteer-led Diwali in London (DiL) committee, supported this year by Chinmaya Mission UK as chair, along with partner organisations Remitly, Lidl, and Daawat.
“It has been a privilege to serve as part of the chair team in helping to coordinate this spectacular and popular annual event in the heart of London’s iconic square, which brings together a diverse range of organisations and communities in a spirit of unity,” said Dr Milen Shah of Chinmaya Mission UK.
“This enjoyable, educational, and wonderful event will shine a light on the deeper meaning and purpose of Diwali for all who attend,” he said.
The celebration opened with around 200 dancers from different parts of India performing in the centre of Trafalgar Square, followed by musical performances and dance-dramas depicting the story of Diwali and how it is celebrated across communities.
“At its core, Diwali is a joyful celebration of the universal values of harmony, strength in diversity and hope,” said Kartik Pande, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK.
“This festival also epitomises the energy, creativity and contribution of the Indian diaspora and community that has enriched the very fabric of the social life of this great city. It is also a vibrant symbol of the India-UK friendship, and the recently concluded successful visit of Prime Minister Starmer (to India) adds another element of bonhomie,” he said.
Starmer was in Mumbai last week for a two-day visit during which both countries agreed to give fresh momentum to the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and build on opportunities from the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) agreed in July.
“We are honoured to join London’s South Asian communities in marking this significant cultural tradition, one that continues to enrich the city’s diverse fabric while inspiring people worldwide,” said a spokesperson for international money transfer firm Remitly.
“As a company dedicated to fostering connection and care, we take pride in supporting this important festival and reinforcing our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve,” the spokesperson said.
“With cultural marquees and family-friendly activities throughout the square, there was something for everyone to enjoy,” added Sarita Menon from the Diwali in London Committee.
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