Since 2020, ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination has been the single biggest compliance issue facing guar gum importers in Europe. This guide explains the regulation, the test method, and exactly what documentation to request from your supplier in 2026.

What is Ethylene Oxide (ETO) and Why is it a Problem in Guar Gum?

Ethylene oxide is a colourless, highly reactive gas historically used as a fumigant to sterilise spices, seeds and gums. It is classified by IARC as Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) and was banned as a plant-protection product in the EU back in 1991. Its hydrolysis product, 2-chloroethanol, is equally regulated.

EU RASFF Alerts: When Did ETO Contamination in Guar Gum Begin?

The 2020 sesame-seed alert cascade exposed how widely ETO was still being used in third-country supply chains. Through 2021 and 2022, RASFF notifications extended to spice blends and then to guar gum — driving the regulatory tightening that produced EC 2021/2246.

EU Regulation EC 2021/2246: MRL 0.02 mg/kg for ETO in Guar Gum

EC 2021/2246 amends Regulation 396/2005 to set the maximum residue level for ethylene oxide in guar gum at 0.02 mg/kg, expressed as the sum of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol calculated as ETO. Anything above this triggers a RASFF border alert, import refusal and downstream recall.

How to Verify ETO-Free Status: What Documentation to Request from Your Supplier

Request: (1) batch-specific COA citing ETO and 2-chloroethanol results, (2) signed ETO-Free Declaration on supplier letterhead, (3) accredited third-party GC-MS/MS test report per batch, (4) traceability back to the guar split lot and farm region. Anything less than this is not a credible ETO-free claim in 2026.

UK Post-Brexit ETO Regulations for Guar Gum Imports

The UK retained the EU MRL after Brexit. The FSA enforces the same 0.02 mg/kg limit through GB import controls and the UK food incidents notification system. Documentation expectations are identical to the EU.

Which Other Countries Have Banned or Restricted ETO in Spices and Gums?

EU 27, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Australia all enforce ETO MRLs. The US FDA and Canadian CFIA do not set a numeric MRL on guar gum but expect no detectable ETO use in production.

How B D Guar Ensures ETO-Free HICOL® Guar Gum

Raw guar splits are sourced from contracted farms in Rajasthan and Gujarat where ETO fumigation is not used. Processing at Kalol uses purely mechanical splitting, milling and sieving — no chemical sterilisation. Every batch is GC-MS/MS tested by an accredited third party, and the signed ETO-Free Declaration ships with each consignment.

Internal references

Download our ETO-Free Declaration for HICOL® Guar Gum

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ETO-Free Guar Gum: What European Food Manufacturers Must Know in 2026