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Ethylene Oxide, a genotoxic carcinogenic compound, and its derivative 2-CE are of emerging concern in food safety. Dr. Didik Joko Pursito, Head of Commercial Processed Food Production Control, The Indonesian FDA, will talk about 'Risk Assessment and Development of Ethylene Oxide Risk Mitigation Guidelines for Food.'
Risk assessment was conducted by mapping international regulations on Ethylene Oxide (EtO), performing processing factor analysis, and evaluating potential sources of contamination and exposure levels. As per the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) approach, the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for EtO and 2-CE, were proposed to be uniform limits and at 0.01 and 85 mg/kg, respectively, to prevent product recalls and ensure consistent food safety standards.
The speaker will also talk about mitigation strategies developed to manage the risk of EtO and 2-CE presence in food. These encompassed the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), such as the use of alternative pesticides and sterilization methods, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), including the minimization of food additives and raw materials that might contain EtO residues. Stringent testing for EtO and 2-CE residues in exported and imported food products was also recommended.
The audience will be hearing about valuable insights into the risk assessment and mitigation strategies for ethylene oxide in the Indonesian food industry. They will understand how stakeholders in the food industry create and follow critical guidelines, informed by current regulations and scientific literature, to minimize health risks associated with EtO and 2-CE. With a proactive risk management approach, the regulators can incorporate more up-to-date data to continuously improve the guidelines in future revisions, helping to prevent potential health crises in the food industry.
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