The Indian Ministry of Commerce has requested information from food safety regulators in Singapore and Hong Kong after several MDH and Everest masala varieties were banned due to concerns about excessive pesticide levels. The banned products allegedly contained ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits. The ministry has directed Indian embassies in both countries to provide detailed reports on the ban’s cause. Additionally, the ministry has sought information from MDH and Everest regarding the banned products. The ministry aims to determine the root cause of the rejection and implement corrective actions in collaboration with the exporters concerned. Singapore and Hong Kong have urged consumers and traders to avoid purchasing or selling the banned products, respectively. India is a significant global producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, India exported spices valued at nearly 32,000 crore, with chili, cumin, turmeric, and cardamom among the major exports. The Spices Board of India is also investigating the ban.