Why Hong Kong, Singapore Have Banned Sale Of MDH, Everest Spices

why hong kong, singapore have banned sale of mdh, everest spices

Hong Kong has implemented a ban on the sale of well-known Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt after the alleged detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in various spice mixes. Last week, Singapore took action against Everest, citing the presence of ethylene oxide at levels exceeding permissible limits.

Announcing it on April 5, the Centre For Food Safety of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said that “routine surveillance programs had uncovered the presence of ethylene oxide in three spice mixes from MDH Group – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder.”

“The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products,” the statement read.

The press release further mentioned that Everest Group’s Fish Curry Masala was found to contain the pesticide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.

Meanwhile, in response to the findings, both Hong Kong and Singapore have taken action to protect public health. Citing the presence of pesticides above safe levels, Singapore has also recalled Everest’s products from its shelves.

The Indian spice brand has earlier too faced repercussions abroad. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated the recall of Everest Food Products after testing positive for Salmonella.