MDH, Everest masala row: Why Hong Kong, Singapore 'banned' 4 spice-mixes, what Indian regulator said

The action taken by food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore against select-products of two leading Indian brands – MDH and Everest Foods – has sparked concern over their use in India as well.

The Spices Board of India, a Kochi-based government regulatory body, said it is looking into the restrictions imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore on the sale of four spices-mix products of MDH and Everest, which allegedly contain pesticide 'ethylene oxide' beyond permissible limits.

"We are looking into the matter. We are at it," Spices Board of India Director A B Rema Shree told news agency PTI. Meanwhile, Everest was reported as saying by Reuters that its product has not been banned, but temporarily held.

"Reports of Everest products being banned in Singapore, Hong Kong are false. Singapore's food safety authority has asked our Singapore importer to recall and temporarily hold the product for further inspection," a spokesperson of the company told the news agency.

Which MDH, Everest items have faced action in Singapore, Hong Kong?

The products that have faced action are 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.

The Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS), which took action against the three MDH products, has asked consumers not to buy these products and traders not to sell. Singapore Food Agency, which acted against the Everest spice-mix, has directed a recall of the product.

Why the action has been taken

The action against the spice-mixes has been taken due to the presence of “a pesticide, ethylene oxide", Hong Kong’s CFS said.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a body linked to the World Health Organization (WHO), ethylene oxide is a “Group 1 carcinogen”. This classification, according to the agency, indicates that it can “cause cancer in humans”.

The Singapore Food Agency, while ordering the recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala, reportedly said that it has ethylene oxide at levels “exceeding the permissible limit”.

What Indian food regulator said

Apart from the Spices Board of India looking into the issue, the apex food regulatory body – the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has started taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across the country in view of the quality concerns flagged, a government source told PTI on April 22.

"In view of the current development, FSSAI is taking samples of spices of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from the market to check whether they meet the FSSAI norms," the source was quoted as saying. The person privy to the matter, however, clarified that the FSSAI does not regulate the quality of exported spices.

A top government source who spoke to NDTV said samples of spice will be collected from all manufacturers in the country in next three to four days. “All the food commissioners of the country have been alerted,” the source was quoted as saying.

With PTI inputs