RASFF & Ethylene Oxide: What EU/UK Guar Gum Importers Need to Know in 2026
Published 6 July 2026 · By B D Guar Pvt. Ltd. · 8 min read
Quick Answer
What do EU/UK importers need to know about ethylene oxide in guar gum in 2026?
The EU and UK both cap ethylene oxide in guar gum (E412) at 0.1 mg/kg — the Limit of Quantification. Anything above triggers a RASFF alert, import refusal, and recall risk. In 2026, ETO-free sourcing from an ISO 9001:2015 supplier with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is the only reliable way to stay compliant. HICOL® by B D Guar (since 1983, 50+ export markets) is manufactured ETO-free and ships with a COA on request.
What triggered the RASFF ethylene oxide alerts on guar gum?
The wave began in September 2020 with a sesame-seed contamination incident originating outside the EU. Investigators discovered that ethylene oxide — an IARC Group 1 carcinogen banned as a pesticide in the EU since 1991 and as a food/feed protection product since 2011 — was still being used elsewhere as a fumigant against microbiological contamination. Through 2021 and 2022, the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued hundreds of notifications, extending beyond sesame and spices to hydrocolloids: guar gum (E412), locust bean gum (E410), and xanthan gum (E415).
What is the current EU and UK ethylene oxide limit for guar gum?
In September 2022, the EU set a maximum of 0.1 mg/kg — the Limit of Quantification (LOQ) — for ethylene oxide in all food additives, expressed as the sum of ETO and 2-chloroethanol calculated as ethylene oxide. The UK Food Standards Agency has aligned with the same 0.1 mg/kg limit and enforces it through GB import controls and the UK food incidents notification system.
What happens if guar gum exceeds the ethylene oxide limit?
A consignment testing above 0.1 mg/kg is considered non-compliant. The typical chain of consequences is: (1) RASFF notification at the EU border, (2) refusal of entry or destruction of the shipment, (3) trace-back to all downstream finished goods, and (4) public product recall. For a food or beverage manufacturer, a single contaminated batch of E412 can force the withdrawal of every SKU that used it — the reputational and commercial damage far outweighs the cost of the raw material.
How should importers verify ETO-free guar gum?
Before every shipment, ask the supplier for:
- A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) listing ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol results;
- A signed ETO-Free declaration on the manufacturer's letterhead;
- Evidence of ISO 9001:2015 quality management;
- Traceability back to the guar split lot and farm region.
Why choose HICOL® by B D Guar for compliant guar gum?
B D Guar Pvt. Ltd. has been manufacturing guar gum from Kalol, Gujarat since 1983. Our facility is ISO 9001:2015 certified with a 12,000 MT/year capacity, and we currently export to 50+ countries. HICOL® guar gum is produced without any ethylene oxide treatment, aligning with the EU/UK 0.1 mg/kg limit, and every consignment ships with a COA on request.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the current EU limit for ethylene oxide in guar gum?
Since September 2022, the EU applies a maximum of 0.1 mg/kg — the Limit of Quantification — for ethylene oxide in all food additives, including guar gum (E412), expressed as the sum of ETO and 2-chloroethanol calculated as ETO.
Does the UK apply the same ethylene oxide limit as the EU?
Yes. The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has aligned with the same 0.1 mg/kg limit for ethylene oxide in food additives post-Brexit, and enforces it through GB import controls.
What triggers a RASFF alert on guar gum?
Any consignment of guar gum (E412) placed on the EU market above the 0.1 mg/kg ETO limit is flagged through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), leading to import refusal, product withdrawal, or recall of downstream finished goods.
How should EU/UK importers verify ETO-free guar gum?
Request a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) covering ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, a signed ETO-Free declaration, and evidence of ISO 9001:2015 quality management from the manufacturer.
Is HICOL® guar gum from B D Guar ETO-free?
Yes. HICOL® guar gum is manufactured at B D Guar's ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Kalol, Gujarat without any ethylene oxide treatment, and ships with a COA on request. B D Guar has been exporting to 50+ countries since 1983.
Since when has ethylene oxide been banned in the EU?
Ethylene oxide has been banned in the EU as a pesticide since 1991 and as a food/feed protection product since 2011.
Request an ETO-Free COA & quote for EU/UK-compliant guar gum
Email info@bdguar.com or call +91 9879608470 — typical reply within one working day.
Contact B D Guar