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New Delhi: Hong Kong has prohibited the sale of popular Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. after the alleged detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes. There is a risk of cancer due to excessive quantity of this pesticide in these products. Singapore last week took similar action against Everest, alleging the presence of ethylene oxide at levels surpassing permissible limits.
Hong Kong’s Food Safety Department issued a statement saying that three spice mixes of MDH Group – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder and Curry Powder – were found to contain high amounts of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide. Under the routine surveillance program, this pesticide has also been found in Everest’s fish curry masala.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to food regulation, food containing pesticides can be sold for human consumption only if the food is not dangerous or harmful to health.
Instructions to vendors to stop sales and remove products
The department said in its statement that CFS has informed the vendors about the irregularities and has directed them to stop sales and remove these products. As per instructions from the Center for Food Safety (CFS), distributors and importers have started recalling the affected products.
“Ethylene oxide is unsuitable for human consumption,” the CFS stated, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s classification. Hong Kong regulations prohibit the sale of food containing pesticide residues exceeding safe limits.
The CFS ordered vendors to remove the affected products from shelves and has launched an investigation. The regulator also indicated that “appropriate action” may be taken.
Following Hong Kong’s lead, Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) also recalled Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to exceeding permissible levels of ethylene oxide.
While SFA clarified there is no immediate risk from low levels of ethylene oxide, prolonged consumption could pose health risks due to the chemical’s carcinogenic properties.
MDH and Everest have not yet publicly addressed the reports.
