WHY FOOD MUST BE TESTED FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE RESIDUE?
In response to today's consumer ever-rising concern toward using Ethylene Oxide in agricultural produce and food and the increasing demand of commercial manufacturing clients for the management of Maximum Residue Level – MRL, Ethylene Oxide residue testing was subject to BVAQ expertise. At BVAQ Indonesia, we aim to provide testing solutions for business partners with the philosophy of saving cost and time while ensuring product quality.
WHAT IS ETHYLENE OXIDE?
Ethylene Oxide (Eto or EO), or called Oxirane, is an organic compound with the formula C2H4O, primarily discovered in the form of flammable colorless gases. Apart from its application in the sterilization of medical equipment and the production of ethylene glycol (antifreeze), Ethylene Oxide is also used as a disinfection substance and insecticide on agricultural products and foods in many countries. However, many studies indicate that Ethylene Oxide increases the risk of cancer. For this reason, European nations, The US, and Canada have prohibited the use of Ethylene Oxide in agriculture production and also set the limits on its residue on food. Accordingly, the regulations requiring formal inspections and certification before exporting to these nations are compulsorily followed by agricultural and food exporters.
WHY DOES ETHYLENE OXIDE RESIDUAL TESTING MATTER?
Ethylene Oxide residue testing is an essential metric to ensure compliance with the maximum residue limit in domestic and export markets and ease import-export custom clearance across EU borders.
On May 30th, 2022, Europe officially issued regulation (EU) 2022/913, updating some revised information related to the frequency of control of Ethylene Oxide (total of 2 substances ETO and 2-CE regulated).
BVAQ Indonesia team is available for testing service, technical support, and scientific discussion to solve our customer outmost effort for food safety and quality. Instant noodle, ice cream and spices are three of many daily consumption food and also export commodity from Indonesia that could be in concern to Ethylene Oxide issue. Along with this BVAQ laboratory is also support for more than 700 pesticides test, one of the most comprehensive pesticides testing in the region.
OUR APPROACH
BVAQ laboratory has successfully researched and developed Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and 2-Chloroethanol (2-CE) residues testing by using the most modern GC-MS/MS analysis techniques, with high sensitivity to achieve the limit of detection (LOD): 0.010 mg/kg as markets requirement such as Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, and many other countries ahead. In addition, the BVAQ laboratory has used internal isotope standards for highly accurate results. We can report for 3 following components:
1. Ethylene Oxide (EtO/ EO)
2. 2-Chloroethanol (2-CE/ Ethylene chlorohydrin)
3. Ethylene Oxide (Sum of Ethylene Oxide and 2-Chloroethanol (Ethylene chlorohydrin express as Ethylene Oxide)
During the research process, BVAQ also tested on a variety of samples such as peppercorn, spices, oil seeds (cashew, sesame, etc.), cereals, and processed agricultural products such as Instant noodles, rice paper, vermicelli, rice noodles, ice cream, etc. to provide a method with high selectivity and specificity.
In parallel with quality control, BVAQ also offers the shortest analysis to meet customer urgency to reduce testing time and optimize raw material procurement and export goods.
All of BVAQ laboratory group is recognized by ISO17025. Currently BVAQ Indonesia is one of very few laboratories in Indonesia that can offer this particular Ethylene Oxide (ETO/EO) testing service. This also is supported by BV Indonesia inspection team to reach customer location in Indonesia within 24h.
BVAQ CREDIBILITY
From the understanding of organizational needs, our BVAQ team – a global leading group offers a range of testing services for dairy, food, beverage, seeds & nuts, confectionery, fruits & vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, pet foods, and animal feed industries. Most importantly, what makes BVAQ stand out from the testing market is our human capabilities, starting from the subsidiary of Bureau Veritas Group with a long history since 1828. BVAQ has a pool of experienced technical specialists from local and foreign backgrounds to support customer needs.
- All our laboratory facilities are accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
- One Quality Management System (QMS), lab information management system (LIM’s) Standard methods are our main practice to meet regulations and as a result, meet all other global requirements.
- BVAQ Indonesia offers Customer support in comprehensive and structured ways with various services from BVAQ and BV Indonesia group team to cater to customer needs and expectations.
- BVAQ group laboratories are equipped with State-of-the-art instruments LCMSMS, ICPMS, GCMSMS, GC-FID, HPLC, PCR, UV Visible Spectrophotometer and etc.
Contact us to find out how our laboratory testing services can help you ensure product quality.