FSSAI to test samples of spices in India

• Follow

After the concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong on spices made by MDH and Everest, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has started taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands from across the country for checking and testing. “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,” according to a person quoted by PTI. Usually, FSSAI does not regulate quality of exported spices. Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is looking into the ban imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore 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. These products are 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.