GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21st May. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cleared leading Indian spice manufacturers MDH and Everest of contamination allegations. The clearance follows extensive testing amid a controversy over the presence of ethylene oxide, a potentially carcinogenic pesticide, in their products.
Sources report that 28 out of 35 samples collected from the factories of MDH and Everest were found to be free of ethylene oxide. This testing came in response to concerns raised by food safety authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore.
The controversy began when Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) detected ethylene oxide in several pre-packaged spice samples, including MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder. The CFS issued a warning to consumers and traders against purchasing and selling these products. Following Hong Kong’s actions, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also recalled imported Everest Fish Curry Masala.
Reacting to these international directives, the FSSAI initiated a nationwide inspection on April 22, directing food commissioners to collect spice samples for testing. Subsequently, 9 samples from Everest’s manufacturing units and 25 samples from MDH’s manufacturing units were tested. According to sources, 28 of these 34 samples showed no trace of ethylene oxide.
Furthermore, the FSSAI confirmed that none of the 300 samples of spices from other brands tested positive for ethylene oxide. The spices available in the Indian market have also met other safety and quality parameters, sources added.
This clearance is a relief for MDH and Everest, both of which have been under scrutiny following the alerts issued by Hong Kong and Singapore. The FSSAI’s rigorous testing and subsequent findings provide a strong reassurance of the safety and quality of spices produced by these firms.
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