Mostly for mould toxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, for pesticide residues above the EU limit, for Salmonella and, since 2020, for ethylene oxide. Since 2020 there have been 2,009 EU notifications on herbs and spices, and 44% of them were border rejections.
What is found in spices?
The findings named most often in herbs and spices since 2020 were Salmonella (420), chlorpyrifos (251), pyrrolizidine alkaloids (221), pesticide residues (170), ethylene oxide (169), aflatoxins (132) and ochratoxin A (71). In border rejections alone they were Salmonella (293), aflatoxins (86), pesticide residues (85), ethylene oxide (70) and chlorpyrifos (68).
Which spices and which origins?
The spices named most often were black or white pepper (269), cumin (238), spice mixes (108), oregano (92), chillies (71) and paprika (66). The origins named most often were India (444), Brazil (238), Türkiye (197), China (139), Egypt (89) and Spain (78).
Is it rising or falling?
By year, notifications on herbs and spices were 181 in 2020, 358 in 2021, 304 in 2022, 321 in 2023, 329 in 2024, 314 in 2025, 202 in 2026 to 8 Nov 2026. In the 365 days to 8 November 2026 there were 240, against 316 in the 365 days before, down 24%. The countries that notified spices most often were Germany (501), the Netherlands (296), France (171), Spain (142) and Belgium (132).
What are the limits for mould toxins in spices?
Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets 5.0 µg/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10.0 µg/kg for the sum of four aflatoxins in dried chillies and paprika, pepper, nutmeg, turmeric and mixtures containing them (point 1.1.14), and the same for dried ginger (point 1.1.15). For ochratoxin A it sets 15 µg/kg for dried spices in general (point 1.2.17) and 20 µg/kg for dried chillies and paprika (point 1.2.18).
Why so many pesticide findings?
Under Article 18 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 a residue may not exceed the level set for the crop, or 0.01 mg/kg where none is set, and many spices are grown with substances that are not approved in the EU. Ethylene oxide, a substance not approved in the EU, was found in spices and other products after September 2020; see what the ethylene oxide problem was.
Which spices are named most?
| Spice | Notifications | Border rejections |
|---|---|---|
| Black or white pepper | 269 | 238 |
| Cumin | 238 | 119 |
| Spice mixes | 108 | 49 |
| Oregano | 92 | 36 |
| Chillies | 71 | 43 |
| Paprika | 66 | 19 |
| Nutmeg | 65 | 55 |
| Spices | 60 | 29 |
| Turmeric | 57 | 15 |
| Curry powder | 51 | 17 |
Sudan dyes, which may not be used in food, were named in 33 notifications on herbs and spices since 2020.
Which spices get extra checks?
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, consolidated text of 30 June 2026, lists in Annex I, among others, spice mixes from Pakistan for aflatoxins at 30% of consignments, dried capsicum from Sri Lanka for aflatoxins at 50%, and dried pepper and capsicum from India for pesticide residues at 20%. Annex II puts many dried spices from India, including nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and curry, under special import conditions for pesticide residues, with identity and physical checks on 20% to 30% of consignments.
Who stops spices at the border?
The countries whose border posts rejected herbs and spices most often since 2020 were Germany (202), the Netherlands (130), Spain (98), France (90) and Italy (51). Of the 891 spice border rejections, 63% carried a serious risk decision.
What does that mean for a buyer?
A spice from a listed origin is more likely to be sampled at the border. Testing each lot for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and the residues common for that spice, and keeping the report with the shipment, is the practical defence. The herbs and spices page lists every new notification.
Sources
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on contaminants, consolidated text of 19 August 2026, Annex I, checked 18 October 2026
- Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on pesticide residues, Articles 3 and 18, checked 18 October 2026
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, consolidated text of 30 June 2026, Annexes I and II, checked 18 October 2026
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1540 on sesame seeds from India, recitals 3 to 7, checked 18 October 2026
- RASFF Window, European Commission: numbers computed from the list read on 8 November 2026
Last checked 18 October 2026. Numbers on this page are recomputed each time the data is read, last on 8 November 2026.