Spices like black pepper are getting the attention now a days for all wrong reasons. Incidences of recall of meat products tainted with Salmonella in the US market have been attributed to use of contaminated spices by the processors and as most of the spices are sourced from countries like India, focus is going to be on the suppliers from Asian countries regarding their ability to ensure supply of contaminant-free ingredients. Though legislation to make imports more difficult by making regulatory regime more stringent has been stalled for the time being, suppliers of spices and spice ingredients must see the writing on the wall and gear up to increase vigilance and tighten the quality monitoring systems to meet with 100% safety concerns of international buyers.
"Jeff Farrar, the FDA's associate commissioner for food safety, said the government wants the spice industry to do more to prevent contamination. That would include using one of three methods to rid spices of bacteria: irradiation, steam heating or fumigation with ethylene oxide, a pesticide."The bottom line is, if there are readily available validated processes out there to reduce the risk of contamination, our expectation is that they will use them," Farrar said. But the FDA cannot currently require it. Legislation pending in Congress would require food companies to take steps, such as treating raw spices, to avoid contamination. The measure would also mandate that importers verify the safety of foreign suppliers and imported foods. The House overwhelmingly approved the bill last year, but it has stalled in the Senate".
Sun drying of spices by producers can cause contamination from the atmosphere, especially if the environment is not clean and proximity of drying yards to meat processing or waste processing areas can contaminate the products being dried. During storage also cross contamination can occur resulting in products of questionable microbial quality. The laudable efforts of the Spices Board to encourage pepper washing and drying before export are followed by many processors and if this is combined with in-package sterilization with irradiation, India can guarantee supplies with unquestionable safety.
V.H.POTTY
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