Scientific Evidence Challenges the EU Residue Definition Established for the Control of Ethylene Oxide in Food
Abstract
Five years after the initial recalls of various food products exceeding ethylene oxide (ETO) limits in the European Union, alerts keep being regularly issued, highlighting the continuous need for monitoring food items imported in Europe. However, the reliability of ETO measurement remains often questionable, mainly due to its high reactivity and volatility, ultimately complicating residue interpretation. This study summarizes the existing chemical and biochemical evidence on ETO and its major metabolite, 2-chloroethanol, while pointing out the regulatory ambiguities and challenges associated with reliable measurement and analytical method standardization.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Pesticide Residue Analysis and Safety
Agricultural safety and regulations
Potato Plant Research
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 74
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 4992–4997
- Publication date
- 6 February 2026
- Language
- EN