The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ordered nationwide checks and inspections on all companies that manufacture spice mixes on Thursday. The food regulator of India expanded the inquiry into the sector as the global regulator's probe into the suspected contamination in two popular local brands, MDH and Everest.
In April, Hong Kong suspended the sales of three spice mixes manufactured by India's MDH and an Everest spice mix for fish curry. Following, Singapore ordered a recall of the same Everest spice mix for fish curry, drawing attention to the high levels of ethylene oxide which is unsuitable for human consumption and can cause cancer if exposed for a long time continuously.
The products of MDH and Everest are hugely popular in India and are also sold in Asia, Europe, and North America. The companies said that their products are safe. The food authorities of the US and Australia said that they are collecting more information on the issue and India had already directed the testing of products of the two brands.
The FSSAI now ordered the officials to execute extensive inspections, sampling, and testing at all the manufacturing units for powdered spices, with a focus on those manufacturing curry powders and mixed spice blends for domestic and foreign sales.
The FSSAI in a statement said that each of the product samples will be analyzed for compliance with quality and safety parameters. Additionally, the FSSAI also said that checks would also be made for any presence of ethylene oxide, whose use is banned in India and appropriate actions would be initiated as fit after testing is completed.
According to Zion Market Research India is the world's biggest exporter, producer, and consumer of spices, and its domestic market for the products was valued at $10.44 billion in 2022.
Other major manufacturers in addition to MDH and Everest include Madhusudan Masala, consumer giants Tata Consumer Products, NHC Foods, and ITC.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)