The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently scrutinizing products from Indian spice manufacturers MDH and Everest amidst concerns raised by Hong Kong about potential contamination with a cancer-causing pesticide.
Recently, Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and an Everest spice mix designed for fish curries, citing elevated levels of ethylene oxide. Similarly, Singapore issued a recall for the Everest spice mix due to the presence of this chemical compound, deemed unsafe for human consumption and linked to long-term cancer risks.
An FDA spokesperson confirmed awareness of the reports and stated that the agency is actively gathering additional information on the situation.
They are yet to respond to Reuters’ requests for comments on the matter. While Everest has previously asserted the safety of its spices, MDH remains silent on inquiries regarding its products.
Both MDH and Everest spices enjoy widespread popularity in India and are distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. India’s food regulatory body, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has initiated quality checks on these companies in light of the actions taken by Hong Kong and Singapore.
India’s Spices Board, responsible for overseeing spice exports, announced efforts to collect export data on MDH and Everest from Hong Kong and Singapore authorities. Moreover, they are collaborating with the companies to identify the underlying causes of the quality concerns, with plant inspections already underway.
It’s worth noting that in 2019, the U.S. witnessed recalls of certain MDH products due to salmonella contamination.
For more latest and trending news visit www.birdseyesnews.com
