In pursuit of public health and following a trial of the Singaporean government, the government of Hong Kong has prohibited the sale of four products by Indian manufacturers — MDH Pvt and Everest Food Products Pvt.– in the country.
A communiqué released by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said that samples of some prepackaged spice mix products of MDH and Everest contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide.
They cautioned the public and advised avoiding consumption of the affected products. The government also enjoined restraining trade in terms of using or selling the banned products immediately if the sellers or buyers possessed them, a press release dated April 5 flagged.
The affected items include MDH Madras curry powder, sambhar masala mixed masala powder, and curry powder mixed masala powder, along with Everest’s fish curry masala.
Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also passed an order recalling Everest’s fish curry masala, adducing the presence of pesticide ethylene oxide in the product at a level not fit for human consumption.
“As the implicated products were imported into Singapore, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has directed the importer, Sp Muthiah & Sons Pte. Ltd., to recall the products. The recall is ongoing,” the communiqué read.
Further, it said: “Ethylene oxide is a pesticide that is not authorized for use in food. It can be used to fumigate agricultural products to prevent microbial contamination. Under Singapore’s Food Regulations, ethylene oxide is allowed to be used in the sterilization of spices.”
The CFS of the Hong Kong government said it solicited the samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for routine testing as per the Food Surveillance Programme.
“The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products,” it said.
“The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health,” it further said.
MDH and Everest are yet to respond to the controversy of carcinogens in their products.
However, it is not the first time that an Indian spice manufacturer has come under scrutiny. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in 2023, had ordered the removal of Everest Food Products from the shelves after they tested positive for Salmonella.
It’s unfortunate to hear about the recall of Everest and MDH spices in Hong Kong and Singapore. However, it’s important to remember that these incidents are isolated and do not reflect the overall quality of Indian products and companies. Indian spices have long been cherished for their rich flavors and culinary contributions worldwide. It’s crucial for both consumers and manufacturers to prioritize food safety and adhere to strict quality standards to maintain trust and confidence in Indian products globally. Let’s hope for swift action and transparent communication from the concerned companies to address the issue and uphold the reputation of Indian spices.