MDH Everest Ban News: Days after Singapore and Hong Kong flagged the presence of a carcinogen in spices samples of two popular Indian brands - MDH and Everest, the centre has ordered a comprehensive evaluation of all the manufacturing units engaged in spice production in the country. Food commissioners across the country have been alerted and the process of collecting the samples by FSSAI has already been started, an NDTV report stated citing a top official.
The government has ordered a comprehensive testing and evaluation of all the brands, not just MDH and Everest, the officer further said.
"All the food commissioners of the country have been alerted. The process of collecting samples of spices has been started. The order has been given. In three to four days, samples will be collected from all the spice manufacturing units of the country," the report quoted as saying by the top government official.
ALSO READ: Hong Kong Bans Sale Of MDH, Everest Spices Citing Presence Of Cancer-Causing Chemical Ethylene Oxide
"Not just MDH and Everest, samples will be taken from all the spice manufacturing companies. The report will come from the lab in about 20 days," they added.
Why MDH, Everest Facing Flak In Singapore And Hong Kong
Food authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore have cautioned the general public against the use of four products from two spice brands due to alleged high levels of ethylene oxide surpassing acceptable limits. Ethylene oxide is classified as a 'Group 1 carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
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Hong Kong food regulator earlier on April 5 ordered food distributors to stop the sale of three products of MDH, namely Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala, and Curry Powder and one product, Everest's Fish Curry Masala, claiming that these contain “a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The food regulator also asked the vendors to remove these products from the shelves.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered a recall of Everest's Fish Curry Masala due to ethylene oxide levels surpassing acceptable limits. The SFA issued a statement on April 18, directing the importer, Sp Muthiah & Sons Pvt. Ltd., to start taking the product back, which is currently in progress.