Hong Kong Joins Singapore in Banning MDH and Everest Spices
Following Singapore’s lead, Hong Kong authorities have prohibited the sale of select spices from major Indian brands MDH and Everest due to unsafe levels of the pesticide ethylene oxide.
Hong Kong has officially banned the sale of spices from prominent Indian manufacturers MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt., following the detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in their products. This action comes shortly after Singapore imposed a similar ban on Everest spices for exceeding the acceptable levels of the same harmful substance.
Details of the Contamination and Immediate Actions
On April 5, the Centre For Food Safety (CFS) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region declared that its routine surveillance programs had identified ethylene oxide in three specific spice mixes from MDH—Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder. The samples, taken from retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui, revealed the presence of this pesticide, prompting immediate orders to cease sales and remove the products from shelves.
Furthermore, a similar discovery was made with Everest Group’s Fish Curry Masala, which was also found to contain ethylene oxide. This chemical is recognized as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, known to increase the risk of serious illnesses, including breast cancer.
Both Hong Kong and Singapore have swiftly responded to these findings by banning the affected products to safeguard public health. Singapore’s reaction was to recall Everest’s products from retail, citing pesticide levels that surpass the safety standards.
This incident is not isolated in the history of Indian spice brands facing international scrutiny. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had to recall products from Everest Food Products after detecting Salmonella contamination. These recurring issues highlight ongoing challenges with quality control and safety standards in exported spice products.
Implications
The recent bans pose significant implications for both consumers and manufacturers. For consumers, these incidents underscore the importance of vigilance regarding the origins and safety of imported food products. For manufacturers, especially those in the spice industry, there is a heightened need to adhere to international safety standards to maintain market access and consumer trust.
The consecutive actions taken by Hong Kong and Singapore reflect a growing concern over food safety standards in imported products, particularly those involving potentially carcinogenic substances. This situation serves as a critical reminder for food manufacturers about the importance of stringent quality control measures and compliance with international health regulations to avoid similar public health concerns in the future.
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