April 7 - A new European Commission proposal to step up import controls on spices will not improve consumer protection and could actually increase the chances of contamination, a leading industry body has declared.
The European Spice Association (ESA) said it was “very concerned” by the new regulation from the EC to step up import controls on certain spices into the region - while stating unequivocally that it supported any measure that would enhance consumer safety.
The ESA Secretary General Gerhard Weber also expressed the body’s disquiet over the transparency of the EC system that would decide which products are added to and taken off a pre-set list of goods to be scrutinised. He also feared the tests would increase cost and bureaucracy for European importers and affect competition.
The ESA official was reacting to a new EC proposal to enhance import controls on a number of food items of non-animal origin in a bid to counter “known or emerging risks” of contamination, as reported yesterday by FLEXNEWS.
The draft regulation, expected to come into force early next year, lists for the first time which products are to come under extra scrutiny and will be updated regularly. The list also identifies countries of origin that will trigger the enhanced inspections and outlines the potential hazard from them.
Under the new plan shipments of capsicum, nutmeg, ginger and tumeric from India will be subject extra scrutiny. Chilli, chili products, curcama and palm oil for food from “all third countries” would also be included in the new inspection regime.
Mr Weber said: “We support every meaningful effort to improve consumer protection but we are very concerned by this regulation. We believe it does not improve consumer protection. Opening sealed bags of spices at the point of entry at a place where lots of groundnuts are tested may result in the unintended presence of allergens in spices.”
He added that the spice industry implements a raft of measure to avoid cross-contamination with allergens but that this procedure would be a “potential source” for just that.
The question of cost was also important regarding claiming compensation from some EU countries for any damage incurred during inspections, said Mr Weber.
He explained: “What is worrying for the industry is the liability issue. Damages to the product caused to the consignment during import checks at the point of entry will be regulated in the competence of Member States. It will be very difficult for the industry to get a refund from certain Member States in case of damages.”
While the ESA was consulted on the issue, Mr Weber questioned the lack of transparency in the system over listing products or the frequency at which they would undergo physical or identity checks, saying there was “is no decision tree or clear procedure”.
He citied an example of the reduction in rapid alerts for the colouring Sudan red in paprika and chilli, which has fallen from 400 in 2005 to 18 this year - questioning why it was still included in the list.
The new rule would also damage competition, said the ESA secretary general.
“The new Regulation will affect competition as 20% of imports of chilli, chilli products and curcuma will be withheld and tested for Sudan red., while 80% may pass without tests,” he said. “These tests will result in additional costs for the importers.”
He added: “Presently, 100% of all imports of the spices in the Annex of the Regulation have a certificate demonstrating they are free from Sudan red dyes. This will no longer be required. The change in the test regime does not improve consumer protection. It only adds to bureaucracy and costs.”
Mr Weber concluded: “In any way it does not make sense to send products around the globe to Europe only to have them tested at the point of entry and eventually destroyed. It would be more intelligent to ask for and/or accept certificates for the products, which are given at the export from a certified laboratory.”