New Delhi, Jan. 30 - Indian spice exports to the European Union are likely to come under closer scrutiny after the detection of higher than permissible levels of aflatoxins, the Financial Express newspaper reported Wednesday.
In a letter to all exporters, the state-run Spices Board has warned that the E.U. is planning to enact a new regulation enforcing an additional level of official controls at designated points of imports.
Aflatoxins are harmful chemicals produced by moulds of the Aspergillus species found in spices as well as cereals, oilseeds and nuts when they are incorrectly dried and stored.
A large volume of Indian spices is exported to the E.U. and the U.S. Earlier, chili exports to the E.U. were temporarily halted because of high levels of carcinogenic chemicals.