Ethylene oxide in ice cream powder

Since the end of 2020, a high number of positive findings of ethylene oxide related to different kinds of food matrices was reported within the EU. Locust bean gum (E410), guar gum (E412), sesame seeds, spices, nuts etc. have been withdrawn from the EU market due to residues of ethylene oxide resp. 2-chlorethanol.

Two samples of ice cream powder are provided as test materials within this test. The samples contain different concentration levels of ethylene oxide / 2-chloroethanol due to a contamination of the material. 

Ice cream powder 1 consists of:
Dextrose, powder skimmed milk, emulsifier E471, thickener E410, E407, E412, citric acid. 

Ice cream powder 2 consists of:
Powder glucose syrup, dextrose, thickener E410, E466, E407, E440, emulsifier E471

The participants are asked to report 2-chloroethanol according to regulation (EC) 396/2005 as "sum of ethylene oxide and 2-chloro-ethanol expressed as ethylene oxide" as well as 2-chloroethanol and ethylene oxide separately.

The aim of the ring test is

• the correct quantification with respect to the
  comparability criterion (z-score ≤ |2|). The trueness criterion is not applicable.