India, widely acknowledged as the world’s leading producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, is actively seeking information from food safety authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong. These authorities have imposed bans on specific spices from Indian brands MDH and Everest, citing quality apprehensions. Additionally, the commerce ministry has instructed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to furnish comprehensive reports regarding this issue.
The ministry has also requested information from the Indian companies MDH and Everest, whose products have been banned due to alleged excess levels of the pesticide ‘ethylene oxide‘ surpassing permissible limits.
“A request for information has been sent to the companies. “We will identify the root cause of the rejection and begin corrective measures in collaboration with the affected exporters,” said a commerce ministry official.
The official mentioned that technical specifications, analytical reports, and information about the exporters whose shipments have faced rejection have been requested from the Embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Continue Exploring: FSSAI launches quality checks on MDH and Everest spice mixes following reports of high ethylene oxide levels
The official also mentioned that information has been requested from the Singapore Food Agency, the Centre for Food Safety, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong.
The ministry official noted that an industry consultation has also been arranged to address the issue of compulsory testing for ethylene oxide in spice shipments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is investigating the prohibition enforced by Hong Kong and Singapore on the sale of four spice-mix products from Indian brands MDH and Everest.
The food safety regulator in Hong Kong has advised consumers against purchasing these products and urged traders not to sell them, while the Singapore Food Agency has mandated a recall of the products.
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During the fiscal year 2022-23, the nation exported spices valued at nearly INR 32,000 crore. Major exported spices include chilli, cumin, spice oil and oleoresins, turmeric, curry powder, and cardamom.