4 Indian spice mixes under H-K scanner

New Delhi, NT Bureau: Indian spices are under the glare of international food regulators.

Specifically, MDH Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.

Hong Kong’s food regulatory authority had found these four products of popular Indian brands MDH and Everest with carcinogenic ingredients, in routine food surveillance.

After this, Singapore has recalled Everest fish curry masala imported from India, citing the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancercausing agent which raises the risk of breast cancer and lymphoma.

“The Centre for Food Safety, Hong Kong’s food and environmental regulatory body, said it collected samples of four products under its routine food surveillance programme and found the presence of pesticide ethylene oxide, which is unsuitable for human consumption.”

NDTV reports that the presence of ethylene oxide was found in three spice mixes from MDH Group – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder.

The Centre of Food Safety (CSF) had said in a statement issued on April 5, 2024, “The CFS collected the asamples 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.''