India to check samples of MDH, Everest spices amid carcinogen scare: Sources
This comes after the sale of some of products by the two spice makers were banned in Hong Kong and Singapore for containing a cancer-causing chemical.
In Short
- FSSAI to investigate MDH, Everest spices.
- Hong Kong, Singapore banned some products of the two spice makers
- MDH, Everest yet to address carcinogen reports
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is likely to soon initiate an investigation in samples of MDH and Everest spices, sources told India Today TV. This comes after the sale of some of the products by the two spice makers was banned in Hong Kong and Singapore for containing a cancer-causing chemical.
On April 19, Singapore ordered a recall of Everest's Fish Curry Masala, alleging the presence of ethylene oxide, a pesticide classified as a carcinogen, at levels exceeding the permissible limit.
The Singapore Food Agency said ethylene oxide is not authorised for use in food and is only used to fumigate agricultural products to prevent microbial contamination.
Earlier on April 5, Hong Kong also revealed that it detected ethylene oxide in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – and Everest's Fish Curry Masala.
In its report, the Centre for Food Safety said it collected samples of the four products under its routine food surveillance programme and found the presence of ethylene oxide, which is unsuitable for human consumption. Hong Kong regulations prohibit the sale of food containing pesticide residues exceeding safe limits.
MDH and Everest have not yet publicly addressed the reports of carcinogens in their products.