The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered quality checks on popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest Group following allegations that their products contain a cancer-causing pesticide. The move comes after Hong Kong banned the sale of MDH and Everest spices, claiming they detected the presence of ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.
The government’s decision follows hours after Hong Kong banned the sale of the two brands in the country, claiming to have detected the presence of carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes. The Centre For Food Safety of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region collected samples of three of MDH’s pre-packaged spice products and one from Everest Group for testing under its routine food surveillance program, where it detected the presence of the pesticide.
The CFS further instructed vendors in Tsim Sha Tsui city to stop selling those products and remove them from their shelves. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. Consumption of food containing pesticide residue is only permitted if it does not pose a danger to health. Offenders face a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months imprisonment upon conviction, according to Hong Kong authorities.
Singapore has also directed the importer of the spices to initiate a recall of the products. Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers may contact their point of purchase for enquiries,’ the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said.
MDH, founded by Dharampal Gulati in 1959, and Everest, founded by Vadilal Shah, have been exporting to several places including the US, Europe, UK, and the Middle East. The FSSAI’s quality checks will help ensure the safety of these products and protect consumers from any potential health risks.
