EU oks sulphur use

EU oks sulphur use[ Monday, 04 July 2011, 04:54.30 AM GMT +05:30 ]The European Union (EU) has allowed Sri Lanka’s request for the use of Sulphur Dioxide in the processing of Cinnamon, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels said.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) has been used for 2 purposes, viz for its biocidal activity and for bleaching. The cinnamon industry has traditional practices in cinnamon processing and the use of SO2in fumigation has been known to the industry for centuries.

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) fumigation keeps the hygienic quality and fumigation functions as a preservative, anti-browning agent, and helps in the fixation of the characteristic golden yellow colour of Ceylon Cinnamon.Since July 2004, Sri Lanka has encountered problems with a number of consignments of "Ceylon Cinnamon" exported to the European Communities on the grounds that consignments contained sulphur dioxide (SO2).

The EC authorities have cited that this action was taken under a technical regulation relating to import of foodstuffs to the European Communities contained in European Parliament and Council Directive No. 95/2/EC of 20 February 1995 and its subsequent amendments, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels said.

Following continued lobbying by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels with the EU, the EU has allowed Sri Lanka’s request for recognition of the CODEX standard on SO2 for cinnamon processing by the EU.  Several presentations made to EU during last 2-3 years, have produced the above tangible result for the benefit of Sri Lankan cinnamon exporters. Commission Directive No. 2010/69/EU of 23rd October 2010, amending the Directive 95/2/EC, authorises the use of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in Cinnamon at a maximum level of 150 mg/kg, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels said.

At present, Sri Lanka is the single largest exporter of true cinnamon in the world accounting for 85% of the world demand for cinnamon.

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