Under scanner in Singapore and Hong Kong for “cancer-causing agents” in masalas, Indian spice brand Everest said that their products are safe for consumption. The company clarified that their spices have not been banned in either of the countries.
A report in Times of India quoted the company as saying that all its products go through stringent checks before dispatch and before export.
Every shipment goes through quality inspection by the Spice Board of India, it was quoted as saying, adding that they are awaiting an official communication to understand the issue and our quality control team will look into the matter.
NDTV quoted a spokesperson from Everest as saying that their spices have not been banned in either Singapore or Hong Kong. “Singapore’s food safety authority referred to Hong Kong’s recall alert and asked our Singapore importer to recall and temporarily hold the product for further inspection,” the spokesperson was further quoted while clarifying on the row.
A report in Reuters quoted company director Rajiv Shah as saying, “Exports are cleared only after receiving necessary clearances and approval from the laboratories of the Spice Board of India.” He added that Everest’s products were safe and ruled out need for concern.
Everest is a 57-year-old spice brand founded by late Vadilal Bhai Shah. The company is said to be India’s largest manufacturer of pure and blended spices, and is present in more than 80 countries globally.
Along with Everest, spices of Mahashian Di Hatti, popularly known as ‘MDH’, is also embroiled in the controversy. Even as Everest spoke to the national daily, News18 so far has not been able to get a statement from MDH on the issue.
MDH is an Indian spice producer and seller based in New Delhi, and is the second largest leader in the Indian market after Everest.
What is the Everest and MDH Controversy?
Hong Kong and Singapore have imposed restrictions on the sale of four spices-mix products of Indian brands MDH and Everest, which allegedly contain pesticide ‘ethylene oxide’ beyond permissible limits.
The Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) has asked consumers not to buy these products and traders not to sell, while the Singapore Food Agency has directed a recall of such spices.
According to the CFS report, “A food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.”
Spices Banned in Singapore and Hong Kong
• Singapore has recalled ‘Everest fish curry masala’
• Hong Kong has asked consumers not to buy MDH’s Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.
Amid the Row, FSSAI to Check Quality of Spices Sold in India
Food safety regulator FSSAI has started taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across the country in view of quality concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong.
“In view of the current development, FSSAI is taking samples of spices of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from the market to check whether they meet the FSSAI norms,” a government source was quoted by news agency PTI.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) does not regulate quality of exported spices, they said. “We are looking into the matter. We are at it,” Spices Board of India Director A B Rema Shree told PTI.
FSSAI, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, takes samples of spices regularly from the market to check the quality of product sold in the domestic market.
India Seeks Details from Food Regulators of Singapore, Hong Kong
Meanwhile, India, the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, has sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong on the controversy.
The commerce ministry has also directed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to send a detailed report on the matter.
The ministry has also sought details from the Indian firms — MDH and Everest — over alleged use of pesticide ‘ethylene oxide’ beyond permissible limits. “Details have been sought from the companies. Root cause of the rejection and corrective actions will be determined along with the exporters concerned,” a commerce ministry official said.
Technical details, analytical reports and the details of the exporters whose consignments have been rejected have been sought from Embassies at Singapore and Hong Kong, the official said. Details have also been sought from Singapore Food Agency and Centre for Food Safety, and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Hong Kong, the official added.
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