- By: Aamir Zia
In recent months, a shocking revelation has come to light from Europe — over 400 Indian food products have been either outrightly banned or severely restricted by the European Union (EU) due to excessive contamination. These are no ordinary recalls. They are full-blown embargoes on consumables considered dangerously toxic.
According to multiple credible international sources, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), Indian exports ranging from rice, spices, seafood, to herbal medicines have consistently failed safety checks at EU borders. The charges are grave:
Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium have been detected in rice, turmeric, and fish products. Carcinogenic pesticides like tricyclazole and banned fungicides have contaminated spices and grains. Even more alarming, salmonella bacteria was found in organic food products such as ashwagandha and sesame seeds. Between 2019 and 2024, no less than 467 Indian food consignments were flagged unsafe by the EU, with 276 shipments outrightly rejected at European borders. This is not an isolated incident but a pattern of negligence that endangers global consumers. Especially troubling is the discovery of ochratoxin A, a cancer-causing mycotoxin, in shipments of coffee, chilies, and rice. Additionally, dangerous levels of ethylene oxide, another internationally banned chemical, were traced in dozens of Indian food products.This scandal isn’t just an embarrassment for India, it raises serious questions about the integrity of global food trade. While Europe enforces strict food safety standards, similar vigilance is missing in other markets where these contaminated products continue to be sold unchecked. India’s own Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has responded by raising permissible pesticide limits within the country — a move widely criticized by consumer rights groups who accuse authorities of lowering the bar instead of cleaning up the supply chain. For decades, India’s spice and food exports have enjoyed a reputation for quality. Yet today, that reputation hangs by a thread. Exporters now face tougher scrutiny from global regulators, and import bans threaten billions in trade. This crisis underscores an urgent need for transparency, tighter regulation, and international cooperation to ensure that food products crossing borders meet global safety norms not only for the welfare of consumers but also for the credibility of nations. It’s time the world stops turning a blind eye to such toxic exports, and holds all countries, no matter how big or small, to the same health and safety standards.