By Rishika Sadam and Aditya Kalra
Welcome to our blog where we bring you the latest news and updates from around the world. Today, we dive into the recent controversy surrounding Indian spice makers MDH and Everest.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating products from MDH and Everest after Hong Kong suspended sales due to alleged high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. The FDA spokesperson stated, “The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation.”
This month, Hong Kong and Singapore took action against certain products from these spice makers, citing unsafe levels of ethylene oxide. Everest spice mix for fish curries was suspended in Hong Kong, and Singapore ordered a recall as well.
Reuters broke the news about the U.S. FDA’s review of the contamination issue, raising concerns about the safety of these popular spice products.
MDH and Everest have not yet commented on the matter. Everest previously claimed that its spices are safe for consumption, while MDH’s response is still pending.
These Indian spice brands are widely popular not only in India but also in Europe, Asia, and North America. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is now conducting quality checks on MDH and Everest, following the actions taken by Hong Kong and Singapore.
The Spices Board of India is collaborating with authorities to investigate the root cause of these quality issues and ensure the safety of the products. Meanwhile, inspections have begun at the plants of both companies.
In the past, MDH faced product recalls in the U.S. due to salmonella contamination in certain batches back in 2019.