Mint Explainer: The brouhaha behind India’s masala mixes and their contamination
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Mint Explainer: The brouhaha behind India’s masala mixes and their contamination

Live Mint  

Time and again, food safety authorities from different countries have labelled certain Indian spice mixes as contaminated and unsafe for human consumption. The latest instance involves Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety and packaged spice mixes of two producers—MDH and Everest. In the course of routine testing of samples under its food surveillance programme, the regulator found the presence of ethylene oxide in three spice mixes of MDH and one of Everest exceeded the permissible limit. Subsequently, on 18 April, citing the Hong Kong regulator’s orders, the Singapore Food Agency also directed a recall of a spice mix produced by Everest. In June 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration had ordered a recall of spice mixes of Everest and Maggi Masala-ae-Magic as it found those contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

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History of this topic

Indian Spices not banned in Singapore and Hong Kong: Prataprao Jadhav
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Indian Spices not banned in Singapore and Hong Kong: Prataprao Jadhav

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Indian Spices have not been banned by countries like Singapore and Hong Kong according to information given by the Ministry of Commerce, Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav told the Lok Sabha on Friday. However, specific batches of a few spice mixtures exported from India were earlier recalled by the Food Safety Authorities in Hong Kong and …

Nearly 12% of Indian-tested spices fail FSSAI quality and safety standards: Report
4 months ago

Nearly 12% of Indian-tested spices fail FSSAI quality and safety standards: Report

Live Mint  

Close to 12 per cent of Indian-tested spices failed to meet the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India quality and safety standards after many countries took measures over contamination risk in two popular spice exporting brands from the country, reported the news agency Reuters on Sunday, August 18, quoting data collected from a Right to Information response. The FSSAI …

Rajasthan finds some MDH and Everest spices ‘unsafe’ for consumption: Report
6 months, 1 week ago

Rajasthan finds some MDH and Everest spices ‘unsafe’ for consumption: Report

Hindustan Times  

Rajasthan said that it found some spices of MDH and Everest "unsafe" for consumption after tests amid global scrutiny of the brands for alleged contamination in its products, news agency Reuters reported citing a letter from the state written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This comes after Hong Kong in April suspended sales of three spice …

MDH and Everest masala ban: Why are Indian spices under global scrutiny and what’s going to happen next?
6 months, 3 weeks ago

MDH and Everest masala ban: Why are Indian spices under global scrutiny and what’s going to happen next?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two of the most popular …

U.K. tightens scrutiny of all Indian spice imports amid contamination allegations
7 months, 1 week ago

U.K. tightens scrutiny of all Indian spice imports amid contamination allegations

The Hindu  

Britain's food watchdog has applied extra control measures on all spice imports from India, it said on Wednesday, becoming the first to ramp up scrutiny of all Indian spices after contamination allegations against two brands sparked concerns among global food regulators. Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends produced by MDH and one by Everest, saying they …

Spices from India ‘could be contaminated with pesticide’
7 months, 1 week ago

Spices from India ‘could be contaminated with pesticide’

The Telegraph  

The report, carried out by the FSA and Queen’s University, found that “authenticity testing” of herbs and spices is not being carried out at British ports because there is no statutory requirement to do so. Public analyst laboratories surveyed in the report also said they are receiving “very few samples” of herbs and spices as authenticity testing is “not a …

US says treatment of spices with ethylene oxide is ’safe’ as Hong Kong, Singapore ban some MDH, Everest products
7 months, 1 week ago

US says treatment of spices with ethylene oxide is ’safe’ as Hong Kong, Singapore ban some MDH, Everest products

Live Mint  

The American Spice Trade Association on Friday informed in a letter that both the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency have concluded that consumption of spices treated with ethylene oxide is safe. The statement came after Hong Kong and Singapore took action against several spice variants manufactured by Indian spice brands MDH and Everest Food …

Indian spices found unsafe: Do food safety laws in India need an overhaul?
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Indian spices found unsafe: Do food safety laws in India need an overhaul?

The Hindu  

A massive controversy has erupted in the world of spices, masalas and mixes, with products of two leading Indian players, MDH and Everest in the midst of this. After this, the Spices Board and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, or FSSAI announced a slew of measures for spices as well as other foods, to test for contamination …

Why are Indian spices facing the heat? | Explained
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Why are Indian spices facing the heat? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: A crisis of confidence assails the Indian spice export industry. The domino first shook on April 5, when Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and Everest fish curry masala. The top three importers of India’s curry powders and mixtures, in the fiscal year 2022-23, include the U.S., U.A.E …

India widens ‘inspections, sampling, testing’ of spices amid contamination alarm
7 months, 3 weeks ago

India widens ‘inspections, sampling, testing’ of spices amid contamination alarm

Hindustan Times  

India's food safety regulator FSSAI said that it had ordered testing and inspections at all companies making spice mixes following suspected contamination in MDH and Everest spice blends. This comes after Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spices made by MDH and an Everest spice mix for fish curry. Ban on MDH, Everest spices in Hong Kong, Singapore: …

Australia to ban MDH, Everest spices? Regulator ‘assesses alleged contamination'
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Australia to ban MDH, Everest spices? Regulator ‘assesses alleged contamination'

Hindustan Times  

Australia's food safety agency said that it is looking into accusations of contamination related to spices of Indian companies MDH and Everest. With this Australian regulator becomes the latest regulator to step up scrutiny after Hong Kong suspended sales this month of three MDH spice blends and an Everest mix for fish curry. Earlier Hong Kong said, “The CFS collected …

FSSAI to check quality of spices, herbs this year
7 months, 3 weeks ago

FSSAI to check quality of spices, herbs this year

Hindustan Times  

India’s food regulator will check spices and culinary herbs for quality this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India said in a generic statement on Monday, a move seemingly triggered by some countries banning packaged spice mixes made in India as they were found to contain carcinogenic chemicals. The announcement comes after Hong Kong and Singapore recently banned …

US rejected 31% of MDH exports since Oct 2023 over salmonella: Report
7 months, 3 weeks ago

US rejected 31% of MDH exports since Oct 2023 over salmonella: Report

Hindustan Times  

Amid concerns over certain products of Indian spice makers MDH and Everest, a surge has been reported in refusal rates for spice-related shipments exported by Mahashian Di Hatti Pvt Ltd to the United States due to salmonella contamination. The surge in refusal rate over salmonella contamination comes at a time when both Singapore and Hong Kong suspended sales of certain …

Trouble for Indian spices in US: Health officials swoop in amid contamination allegations
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Trouble for Indian spices in US: Health officials swoop in amid contamination allegations

Hindustan Times  

The US Food and Drug Administration has opened a probe into discovering the actual composition of two Indian spice makers' blends that allegedly contain high levels of cancer-causing pesticides. On Friday, a spokesperson added that the FDA was well aware of the reports and “is gathering additional information about the situation.” How have the Indian spice-making brands MDH and Everest …

MDH rejects allegations of cancer-causing pesticide in its spices: ‘Baseless’
7 months, 3 weeks ago

MDH rejects allegations of cancer-causing pesticide in its spices: ‘Baseless’

Hindustan Times  

MDH, a popular Indian spice brand, on Saturday rejected the allegations of its products containing a cancer-causing pesticide, saying that the claims are “baseless, untrue and lack any substantiating evidence”. The brand's statement comes days after Hong Kong and Singapore banned the sale of the two Indian spice brands in their countries - MDH and Everest, claiming that they detected …

Ready to start mandatory testing for exports to Hong Kong and Singapore, says Spices Board
7 months, 4 weeks ago

Ready to start mandatory testing for exports to Hong Kong and Singapore, says Spices Board

Live Mint  

Mumbai: The Spices Board of India said it is ready to begin mandatory testing for spice consignments destined for Singapore and Hong Kong following reports that the two countries have recalled Indian spice mixes over concerns of contamination with ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide. “The board convened an industry consultation and has put in systems to commence mandatory ETO testing …

72% Packaged Spices Consumers in India Concerned After Hong Kong, Singapore Bans, Says LocalCircles Survey
7 months, 4 weeks ago

72% Packaged Spices Consumers in India Concerned After Hong Kong, Singapore Bans, Says LocalCircles Survey

News 18  

Consumers in India have pressed the panic button after Hong Kong and Singapore banned packaged spices manufactured by MDH and Everest Group after they were found to contain cancer causing elements. According to a LocalCircles survey, 72 percent consumers of packaged spices are concerned about safety of spices after carcinogens were reported in MDH and Everest products. Meanwhile, 73 percent …

MDH, Everest masala row: India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination
7 months, 4 weeks ago

MDH, Everest masala row: India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination

The Hindu  

India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong and Singapore for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. India's spices export regulator said it had sought data on MDH and Everest exports from relevant authorities in both countries and was …

India spice maker Everest says products safe after health concerns
7 months, 4 weeks ago

India spice maker Everest says products safe after health concerns

Hindustan Times  

Food brand Everest, a household name in India, has said its fish curry spice blend was safe for use following concerns about a cancer-causing chemical. Everest's spice blends are very popular among Indians who live outside the country as well Indian manufacturer Everest Food Products said on Tuesday its spices were safe for consumption after Singapore and Hong Kong flagged …

Ban on MDH, Everest masala | India seeks details from food regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong
8 months ago

Ban on MDH, Everest masala | India seeks details from food regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong

The Hindu  

April 23, 2024 04:41 pm | Updated 06:19 pm IST - New Delhi India, the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, has sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong, which has banned certain spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns. Details have also been sought from Singapore Food Agency and …

India seeks details from Singapore, Hong Kong after ban on MDH, Everest spices: Report
8 months ago

India seeks details from Singapore, Hong Kong after ban on MDH, Everest spices: Report

Hindustan Times  

Days after Hong Kong and Singapore banned the sale of the two popular Indian spice brands in the country - MDH and Everest - over their quality concerns, the Centre has sought details from their food safety regulators, reported Reuters citing government officials. Ban on MDH, Everest spices in Hong Kong, Singapore The Union commerce ministry has reportedly directed the …

Ban on MDH, Everest masala: India seeks details from food regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong
8 months ago

Ban on MDH, Everest masala: India seeks details from food regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong

Hindustan Times  

New Delhi, India, the world's largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, has sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong, which has banned certain spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns. Ban on MDH, Everest masala: India seeks details from food regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong The commerce ministry has also directed …

Food safety regulator to test MDH, Everest spices: Report
8 months ago

Food safety regulator to test MDH, Everest spices: Report

Hindustan Times  

The food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on Monday ordered quality checks on products of popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest Group following allegations of them containing a cancer-causing pesticide, Reuters reported citing a senior official. Centre to test MDH, Everest spices for cancer-causing pesticide: Report According to the report, the inspections will test for …

Hong Kong bans sale of MDH, Everest spices citing presence of ethylene oxide
8 months ago

Hong Kong bans sale of MDH, Everest spices citing presence of ethylene oxide

Hindustan Times  

Hong Kong banned the sale of Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. after authorities detected the presence of carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes. The Centre For Food Safety of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said that there was a presence of ethylene oxide in MDH Group's Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder and Curry …

Singapore recalls Everest fish curry masala imported from India as presence of pesticides exceed permissible limits
8 months ago

Singapore recalls Everest fish curry masala imported from India as presence of pesticides exceed permissible limits

Live Mint  

Singapore has issued a recall for Everest Fish Curry Masala imported from India due to elevated levels of ethylene oxide, a chemical considered unsuitable for human consumption, found in the product, according to the country's authorities. In an official statement, the Singapore Food Agency said, “The Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong has issued a notification on the recall …

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