??Now EU finds cancer-causing chemicals in 527 Indian items |? Will TikTok be banned in the US?

• At market close, the Sensex rose 486.50 points to 74,339.44, while the Nifty increased by 167.90 points to 22,570.30.
• Except for realty, all sector indices ended positively, with the PSU Bank index notably surging nearly 4% to reach a record high of 7,421.20.

Now EU finds cancer-causing chemicals in 527 Indian items

The European Union (EU) found contamination by ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing chemical, in 527 food items from India, including nuts, sesame seeds, herbs, spices, and dietetic foods.

Why this matters: This is the fourth controversy regarding Indian food products this week and it raises concerns over food and safety standards in India.

• First was the report which found that Nestle adds sugar to baby food products sold in India and other Asian and African countries, while the same products have no added sugar in markets like Germany and the UK.
• Then came the ban on the top spice brands, MDH and Everest in Hong Kong and Singapore. It was only after this ban that India’s food regulator FSSAI ordered an inspection of samples of spices and infant food pan-India.

The details: Between September 2020 and April 2024, the EU rejected 87 consignments, with India being listed as the country of origin for 332 of them; the rest were associated with other countries too.

• Of the 527 products red-flagged by the European Union countries, at least 54 were marked 'organic' on their labels -- from sesame seeds to black pepper and ashwagandha, while others contained labels like “premium immunity enhancers”, DeccanHerald writes.
• Even hummus made in Spain by adding sesame seeds from India, bakery items, and even herbal food supplements contain Ethylene oxide, indicating that the substance has spread across food categories.

What is it? Ethylene oxide is a colourless gas used as a pesticide and sterilizing agent. It has been associated with a variety of cancers, including lymphoma and leukaemia, and other health issues like respiratory irritation, neurotoxicity, and mutagenic changes.

• Despite the findings, European officials have not taken steps to ban the use of ethylene oxide.
• Exposure to ethylene oxide can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, posing risks, particularly to factory workers, agricultural workers, and some hospital workers.
• The EU has set a limit of 0.1 mg/kg for ethylene oxide due to concerns about its toxicity and breakdown products.
• They describe it as a genotoxic carcinogen “where no safe level can be established” when it comes to its presence in products, especially food items.

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Will TikTok be banned in the US?

The bill, signed by President Biden, empowers the U.S. government to enforce a forced sale or ban of the TikTok app if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, fails to divest ownership within a stipulated nine-month period, which can be extended by an additional three months.

• Bipartisan apprehensions within the U.S. Congress regarding TikTok revolve around concerns about potential Chinese Communist Party influence and espionage risks, prompting a favourable vote on the bill in the Senate.

What TikTok is saying: In response to the bill, TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, criticized it, characterizing it as a restriction on the voices of the American people.

• TikTok also highlighted its substantial economic contribution to the U.S., citing $24 billion in annual revenue and a user base of 150 million in the country.

How Republicans reacted: Republicans have voiced apprehensions regarding the potential repercussions of a TikTok ban on small businesses and the broader U.S. economy.

• Notably, former President Donald Trump cautioned against a TikTok ban, suggesting that such action could inadvertently bolster the growth of Facebook, which he views as an adversary.

Violation of the First Amendment?: The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government to redress grievances.

• TikTok intends to challenge the bill in court, asserting its constitutional rights, while users and advocacy groups are expected to contest the potential ban, citing First Amendment protections.
• The bill was part of a broader legislative package that included provisions related to foreign aid for strategic allies and regulations affecting data brokers and personal information.

ICYMI

• WhatsApp is testing its offline file sharing and in-app dialler features.
• Election Commission has issued a notice to BJP, and Congress for speeches by Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi for alleged MCC violations.
• Jio is now offering ad-free plans and subscriptions for less than Rs. 1/day.
• Enforcement Directorate counters Kejriwal's plea with claims of evidence destruction with a claim that 173 phones were destroyed.
• Child dies after consuming 'smoke biscuits' infused with liquid nitrogen; experts warn of dangerous food trends.
• Swiggy gets shareholder approval for a $1.2 billion public issue.
• A Chinese Student now faces 9 months of jail time for threatening a Pro-democracy classmate in the US.
• An Indian Student who went viral over a false claim that he was stealing from food banks, now fears stepping out of his house.