Temporary suspension on imports of betel leaves from Bangladesh

Last updated:
6 June 2016
There is a temporary suspension of imports of betel leaves from Bangladesh until 30 June 2018. Betel leaves are also known as 'Paan leaf', 'Betel quid' and 'piper betle'.

Since October 2011 there have been several food safety notifications concerning the presence of a range of pathogenic salmonella strains found in foodstuffs containing or consisting of betel leaves originating in or consigned from Bangladesh.

The details of the temporary suspension are outlined in Commission Decision (EU) 88/2014 (as amended).

The European Commission has worked with the competent authorities in Bangladesh, which are currently developing appropriate long-term risk-management measures.