Kerala Spice Exporter Recovers EU Market Access After RASFF Alert on Ethylene Oxide

Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login

India-Netherlands

Challenge

A Kerala-based spice exporter (pepper, cardamom, ginger) had a consignment of black pepper rejected at Rotterdam port in March 2025 following an EU RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) notification for ethylene oxide residue (0.12 mg/kg, EU limit 0.05 mg/kg). All subsequent shipments from this exporter were placed on enhanced monitoring at EU border inspection posts (BIPs). The exporter faced potential complete exclusion from EU market.

Outcome

Pre-shipment testing compliance demonstrated over 3 consecutive shipments. Enhanced monitoring lifted by Dutch customs at month 7. Full EU market access restored by month 9. Pre-shipment testing cost: INR 8,500 per consignment. Annual EU spice revenue restored: EUR 3.2M. The testing protocol has been maintained as standard practice.

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