For spices going to the EU, a sound test plan covers pesticide residues, ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, mycotoxins for the spices that carry them, heavy metals, microbiology including Salmonella, and the physical and chemical points in your specification. Some spices also need tests for illegal dyes or plant toxins.
The exact list depends on the spice, its form and the hazards seen at the EU border. Use the plan below as a starting point and adjust it with your customer's QA team.
Core tests for almost every spice
- Pesticide multi-residue screen by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, judged against EU MRLs under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
- Single-residue methods for pesticides the screen misses, where relevant to the crop.
- Ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, reported as their sum.
- Salmonella, as presence or absence in 25 g.
- Total plate count, yeast and mould, and E. coli or coliforms, against your spec.
- Moisture, foreign matter and purity, against your spec.
Extra tests by spice
- Chilli, black pepper, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric: aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and ochratoxin A, with limits under Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
- Chilli and turmeric: illegal dyes such as Sudan dyes, and for turmeric, lead chromate or a lead test.
- Most spices: lead and cadmium, which have EU limits for many spice categories under Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
- Some seed spices and dried herbs: pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which the EU now limits for certain products. Check whether yours is listed.
- Ground spices and blends: allergen cross-contact, for example peanut or other nut proteins, if your customer requires it.
- Powders: authenticity checks for adulterants such as starch, husk or added colour.
Look at what the border is finding
The EU alert system, RASFF, shows which hazards are being notified for Indian spices. If a hazard keeps appearing for your product, add it to your plan. Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 also lists products from certain origins that face more frequent border checks. Check the current annexes, because the list is reviewed regularly.
For seed spices, the common border findings are covered in the most common rejection reasons for Indian seed spices in the EU.
Set the right limits and test the final lot
Ask the lab for limits of quantification that sit below the EU limit for every analyte. For many pesticides with no specific EU MRL, the default limit is 0.01 mg/kg. A test with a higher LOQ cannot show your goods comply.
Judge the results against EU limits and your customer's spec, not against Indian limits. Many EU food manufacturers set tighter internal limits than the law.
Test the cleaned, sterilised and packed lot, not the raw material. Steam sterilisation, sorting and grinding all change results. If your spice is sterilised, test microbiology after treatment. See what steam sterilisation is and when you need it.
How we help
We build an EU test plan for your spice from your spec and recent border findings. We draw sealed samples from the packed lot and send them to an NABL-accredited lab with the right LOQs. To set one up, ask for a free sourcing review.