The EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) represents a fast and efficient way of transmitting information related to food safety, thus playing a crucial role in safeguarding public health. In light of the increased awareness of food safety and environmental protection, organic production has gained media, technological and research significance, as it excludes the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and genetic modifications. Herbs and spices are widely used in culinary practices, playing a role in enhancing food flavor and thereby satisfying the organoleptic needs of consumers.
The aim of the present study was to gain insights into the contamination of the food category "herbs and spices" based on data from the RASFF database for the period 2011–2023 and thereby determine the risk to public health.
As a result of the company’s own checking (50 notifications), official control of the market (26) and border control (18), a total of 94 notifications were reported in various types of organic products, with the highest number of notifications concerning paprika (19.1% of the total number of notifications), ginger (11.7%) and turmeric (7.4%), with raw materials originating mostly from India (26.6%), but also from Spain, Egypt, Germany, etc. Mycotoxins (28.7%), pesticide residues (25.5%), pathogenic micro-organisms (22.3%) and environmental pollutants (9.6%) stood out as the most common contaminants. The presence of pesticide residues (the most frequently found being ethylene oxide and chlorpyrifos) contradicts organic production rules, whereas increased presence of mycotoxins is expected because the exclusion of pesticides, primarily fungicides, increases crop contamination by fungi, leading to higher levels of their secondary metabolites—mycotoxins (up to 52.6 μg/kg of aflatoxin B1 in chillies). The majority of notifications (74) were characterised by a serious risk, with 54.2% of notifications categorized as alerts.
In conclusion, the presented findings should serve as serious warnings to public health protection authorities.
