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Rajasthan Food Department Finds Pesticides, Insecticides In MDH And Everest Spice Samples

June 14, 2024, 12:01 pm

An official mentioned that because Rajasthan lacks the authority to take direct action against manufacturing units in other states, it has requested FSSAI to intervene.

After some popular spice brands failed safety tests in Rajasthan, the state government has appealed to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for guidance and has also requested the governments of Gujarat and Haryana to take action against the brands in question, as their manufacturing units are located in those states.

Shubhra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical, Health, and Family Welfare department, stated that a special campaign was launched on May 8 to collect samples from all districts in Rajasthan. A total of 93 samples from various companies, including well-known brands, were collected. The State Central Public Health Laboratory’s report revealed that some samples contained very high levels of pesticides and insecticides.

According to Iqbal Khan, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Control, tests found high quantities of pesticides and insecticides in samples from MDH, Everest, Gajanand, Shyam, and Ciba Taaza, which are “very harmful” to health.

Tests revealed that MDH’s Garam Masala contained traces of Acetamiprid, Thiamethoxam, and Imidacloprid, while its Sabzi Masala and Chana Masala had Tricyclazole and Profenofos. Everest Spices’ Jeera Masala contained Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam. Shyam spices’ Garam Masala had Acetamiprid, Ciba Taaza’s Raita Masala contained Acetamiprid and Thiamethoxam, and Gajanand spices’ Achaar Masala had Ethion.

Following these results, Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar instructed officials to launch a special campaign, leading to the seizure of over 12,000 kilograms of unsafe spices on June 8.

Given that MDH spices are manufactured in Haryana and Everest and Gajanand spices in Gujarat, letters have been sent to the Food Safety Commissioners of these states for action. Additionally, a letter was sent to the Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI for further steps.

ACS Singh told The Indian Express that this issue arose after Singapore banned some Indian spices for containing carcinogens, highlighting the public health concern. She explained that the manufacturers claim they do not add these insecticides, asserting that the contamination comes from the soil in which the produce is grown, and “that it is coming from the soil itself, in the produce they are taking. It is not a top up but is intrinsic.”

She emphasized that while the concerns are significant and need addressing as part of a broader issue, “shutting down factories is not on the anvil.”

An official reiterated that since Rajasthan cannot directly act against manufacturing units in the other states, it has asked FSSAI to ensure appropriate measures are taken.

Rajasthan Flags Few MDH And Everest Spices “Unsafe”: Report

June 13, 2024, 11:55 pm

Rajasthan declared that certain spices from MDH and Everest were found “unsafe” for consumption following tests, amid global scrutiny over alleged contamination in these brands, Reuters reported, citing a letter from the state to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This development follows Hong Kong’s suspension in April of sales of three MDH spice blends and one Everest blend due to high levels of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide. This action prompted regulatory scrutiny in India and other countries as well.

Singapore has also mandated a recall of the Everest spice mix, while New Zealand, the United States, and Australia have indicated they are investigating the matter. Meanwhile, Britain has imposed additional controls on all spices imported from India, according to reports.

According to a private letter from Rajasthan’s senior health official Shubhra Singh, the state tested samples of numerous spices and identified one batch of Everest spice mix and two batches of MDH as “unsafe,” Reuters reported.

Shubhra Singh, in her letter, emphasized that Gujarat and Haryana, where the MDH and Everest batches were manufactured, “should be asked to take action in the matter without delay,” as per the report. Previously, Rajasthan state authorities had reported seizing 12,000 kilograms of various spices last week due to suspected contamination.

MDH and Everest, whose products are widely popular in India and sold across Europe, Asia, and North America, have asserted that their spice mixes are safe for consumption.

Dabur Claims That Ethylene Oxide Not Used In Its Masala Products Made For Domestic Market

May 3, 2024, 12:00 pm

Dabur India claimed that while ethylene oxide treatment is conducted for international markets within certain bounds, it is not applied for home markets when producing masala goods.

The reaction from Dabur’s management comes after popular Indian spice blends like MDH and Everest were recently outlawed in Singapore and Hong Kong because of elevated ethylene oxide levels—a chemical known to cause cancer—in the blends. This has led to an investigation of Indian spice companies by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Australian Food Safety Authority.

In a conference call following its earnings, Dabur said that its line of masala products, which includes the Badshah brand, had not been banned anywhere. The Indian Spice Board oversees exports and makes sure that the required criteria are met, including ethylene oxide treatment that doesn’t exceed set limitations.

Mohit Malhotra, CEO of Dabur, emphasized compliance with prescribed limits, asserting, “We are within the prescribed limits. So we think we are on the safer side.”

In terms of quality control, Dabur has established a micro lab to sterilize export batches, opting for steam sterilization instead of ethylene oxide. Regarding regulatory compliance, the company strictly follows guidelines set by the domestic regulatory body, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which does not mandate ethylene oxide usage domestically.

However, the company acknowledged challenges posed by recent reductions in limits by the EU. Despite acquiring Badshah Masala, operating in ground and blended spices and seasonings, Dabur sees limited upside due to the issue, posing no new opportunities for their spice portfolio.

The company expressed hope that the industry would move past this issue, allowing for overall market growth. Badshah witnessed over 20 percent growth last year, partly due to price adjustments and increased volume.

Though deflation has started in the spice market, Dabur remains optimistic about margin increases in their Badshah portfolio. Dabur India reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 341.22 crore for the March quarter, marking a 16.5 percent growth from the previous financial year. Total revenue for Q4FY24 was Rs 2,814.64 crore, up 5.11 percent from the year-ago quarter.

Report Reveals: MDH and Everest Catch the Eye of Australia’s FSANZ Amid Global Setbacks

April 30, 2024, 4:44 pm

FSANZ(Food Standards Australia New Zealand) is closely monitoring Indian spice producers MDH and Everest, as reported by Reuters regarding the Masala Ban. A notice issued on April 30 reveals that FSANZ is investigating claims of contamination in spice mixes manufactured by Indian companies. This probe could result in a recall of these products in Australia, following the actions taken by Hong Kong and Singapore in previous years.

FSANZ mentioned, “We are working closely with federal, state, and territory food enforcement agencies, as well as international partners, to understand the issue and determine if further action is warranted in Australia. Recalls are being considered as a potential response.”

According to the Reuters report, the FDA affirmed that “ethylene oxide is prohibited for use as a treatment for food products sold in Australia.”

Despite recent inspections conducted by Indian authorities at MDH and Everest facilities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on April 26 that it was in the process of gathering additional information regarding the issue.

In 2019, the FDA ordered a recall of multiple batches of an MDH product due to salmonella contamination. More recently, in 2023, the agency mandated the recall of two spice blends from Everest due to similar contamination concerns, as stated in the report.

India recently requested export data from Hong Kong and Singapore following regulatory actions taken in these nations concerning MDH and Everest products.

According to a statement by the Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong, the Indian embassy was informed of the test results for necessary follow-up actions, although specific details were not disclosed.

India holds the title of the world’s largest exporter, consumer, and producer of spices. MDH and Everest are prominent players in India’s spice market, which was valued at $10.44 billion in 2022, as reported by Zion Market Research. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported spices worth $4 billion.

Maldives bans MDH and Everest due to claims of presence of pesticides that cause cancer

April 29, 2024, 9:01 am

After Hong Kong and Singapore, the Maldives has banned the sale of Indian spice brands Everest and MDH in the country. Maldives’ food and drug authority said that the two brands of spices produced in India have been found to contain ethylene oxide, news organisation Adhadhu reported, adding that ethylene oxide is used to fumigate agricultural products and is not recommended for use in food products due to its potential adverse health effects.

The MFDA also noted that the Singapore Food Agency and Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety have advised consumers against using the products. The authority said the spices of these brands are imported and used in large quantities in Maldives and they were conducting a risk assessment.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong and Singapore banned the sale of MDH and Everest, claiming that they detected the presence of carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes. Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) asked consumers not to buy and traders not to sell MDH’s Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.

Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix, saying it contains high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure.

In a statement on Saturday, MDH rejected the allegations of the presence of certain pesticides in some products and said its products are 100 per cent safe. The masala maker said it has not received any communications from Hong Kong and Singapore food safety regulators. The company also said that the Spice Board of India and food regulator FSSAI have not received any communication or test reports from Hong Kong or Singapore.

“This reinforces the fact that the allegations against MDH are baseless, unsubstantiated, and not backed by any concrete evidence. MDH reassures its buyers and customers about the safety and quality of all its products. We reassure our buyers and consumers that we do not use Ethylene Oxide (ETO) at any stage of storing, processing, or packing our spices,” the statement said.

MDH: “Our Spices are Safe and Authentic”, Rejects Allegations

April 27, 2024, 11:59 pm

MDH, a renowned Indian spice brand, has refuted claims of its products containing a cancer-causing pesticide, dismissing them as unfounded and lacking supporting evidence. The company emphasized its adherence to health and safety standards and reassured customers about the safety and quality of its products.

MDH underscored its commitment to providing authentic, high-quality spices and expressed confidence in its tagline, “Asli Masale Sach Sach, MDH MDH” (Real Spices Truthfully, MDH MDH) and “Real Spices of India.”

The ban on MDH and Everest spices in Hong Kong and Singapore came after authorities detected the presence of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.

The Hong Kong authorities collected samples of MDH’s ‘Madras Curry Powder’, ‘Sambhar Masala Powder’, and ‘Curry Powder’, as well as Everest Group’s ‘Fish Curry Masala’, which tested positive for the pesticide. Consequently, vendors were instructed to cease selling the implicated products and remove them from shelves. Singapore also issued a recall and ban on the products. The Indian government is seeking further details from the food safety regulators of Hong Kong and Singapore to determine the root cause of the ban and any necessary corrective actions.

Life Threatening Chemical Found In These 527 Indian Products–Check Here

April 25, 2024, 11:49 am

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong and Singapore issued a report warning against certain spice products from India due to the presence of cancer-causing chemicals, specifically ethylene oxide.

Affected Spice Products

The report identified three spice products from MDH and one from Everest that exceeded permissible limits of ethylene oxide.

Ethylene Oxide as a Carcinogen

Ethylene oxide is classified as a ‘Group 1 carcinogen’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, indicating its potential to cause cancer.

Test Results and Regulatory Actions

The CFS conducted tests on samples from retail outlets in Hong Kong, confirming the presence of ethylene oxide. The authorities have instructed vendors to stop selling the affected products.

Recall of Products

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered a recall of Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to ethylene oxide levels exceeding permissible limits, directing the importer to recall the products.

Health Risks and Safety Measures

While low levels of ethylene oxide in food may not pose an immediate risk, long-term consumption may lead to health hazards. The SFA advises minimizing exposure to the substance.

Benefits of Spices

Despite these concerns, spices offer various health benefits, including antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, aid in digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, and may have neuroprotective effects.

Conclusion

Consumers are advised to be cautious and ensure that spices used in cooking are free from harmful contaminants, enhancing the flavor of dishes while providing potential health benefits.

India to investigate MDH, Everest spice ban in Hong Kong

April 23, 2024, 7:09 pm

India’s commerce and industry ministry has launched an inquiry into the reported ban on certain spices produced by Indian companies like MDH and Everest in Singapore and Hong Kong. Following recent actions by food regulators in these countries, the ministry is seeking detailed information on the banned spices and the reasons for their rejection.

The inquiry involves reaching out to authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong for technical specifications, analytical reports, and information about the exporters whose shipments were turned away. The ministry is also coordinating with the Indian embassies in these countries and relevant food agencies such as the Singapore Food Agency and the Centre for Food Safety and Food & Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong.

To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the ministry is collaborating with the affected companies mentioned in media reports. The focus is on understanding the underlying causes of these rejections and working with exporters to address any issues and implement corrective measures.

In addition to the specific MDH and Everest spice bans, the ministry is also addressing broader industry concerns by convening a meeting to discuss mandatory testing for Ethylene Oxide (ETO) in spice shipments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong.

FSSAI to Check Quality of Spices in India Amid Row

April 23, 2024, 12:16 am

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated sampling of powdered spices from various brands, including MDH and Everest, nationwide, following quality concerns raised by Singapore and Hong Kong authorities, according to a government source. FSSAI aims to verify compliance with its standards amidst ongoing scrutiny.

While FSSAI doesn’t oversee the quality of exported spices, it routinely samples domestic market products to ensure adherence to regulations. Concurrently, the Spices Board of India is investigating the ban imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore on certain Indian spice-mix products, alleged to contain excessive levels of the pesticide ‘ethylene oxide.’ Efforts to reach the companies for comment were unsuccessful.

Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety and Singapore’s Food Agency have issued advisories against purchasing or selling these products, which include MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.

Hong Kong bans cancer causing spice brands MDH, Everest

April 22, 2024, 12:44 pm

Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) has taken action against the presence of a cancer-causing chemical in spice products from renowned Indian brands MDH and Everest. Following rigorous testing as part of its routine food surveillance program, the CFS discovered ethylene oxide in three MDH products—Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala—as well as in Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.

Ethylene oxide is classified as a carcinogen, making it unsuitable for human consumption. The CFS announced its findings on April 5, revealing that the levels of ethylene oxide found in these spice products exceeded the permissible limits set by Hong Kong regulations. The sale of food containing pesticide residues beyond safe limits is strictly prohibited in Hong Kong under the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM).

According to the CFS report, “a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.” The presence of ethylene oxide in the spice products clearly violated this regulation, prompting immediate action from the food safety watchdog.

In response to the discovery, the CFS issued an order for vendors to remove the affected MDH and Everest spice products from shelves across Hong Kong. Simultaneously, an in-depth investigation was launched to determine the extent of the issue and ensure compliance with food safety standards. The CFS also warned that “appropriate action” may be taken against the brands responsible for the contaminated products.

The impact of this discovery extended beyond Hong Kong’s borders, with Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) also taking action. The SFA recalled Everest’s Fish Curry Masala from the Singaporean market due to the excess levels of ethylene oxide found in the product. Although the SFA clarified that immediate risks from low levels of ethylene oxide were minimal, it cautioned that prolonged consumption could pose health risks due to the chemical’s carcinogenic nature.

Despite the regulatory actions taken by both Hong Kong and Singapore, MDH and Everest have not yet publicly addressed the reports regarding carcinogens in their products. This lack of response raises concerns among consumers about transparency and accountability within the food industry.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent food safety regulations and continuous monitoring to safeguard public health. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant and follow official guidance from regulatory authorities regarding the safety of spice products until further updates are provided. Efforts to ensure food safety and prevent exposure to harmful substances remain paramount in maintaining public trust and well-being.