According to sources, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted a nationwide collection of spice samples in powder form from various brands.
The FSSAI has reported no traces of ethylene oxide in MDH and Everest brands. The samples were tested in 28 accredited laboratories, with reports from six laboratories still pending.
FSSAI collected samples of Everest spices from their two manufacturing facilities and 25 samples of MDH spices from 11 manufacturing units. These collected samples undergo analysis to ensure compliance with safety and quality parameters, including residues, ethylene oxide, and NABL-accredited laboratories.
In the same way, more than 300 samples of spices from different brands were also tested, and none contained ethylene oxide.
After Hong Kong and Singapore banned certain spice mix products from MDH and Everest, including MDH Madras Curry Powder, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder, and Everest Fish Curry Masala, due to the presence of ethylene oxide exceeding the allowed limit, the food regulator took action.
After Hong Kong and Singapore, Nepal and Maldives have also prohibited the sale and import of MDH and Everest spice mix due to suspected ethylene oxide presence.
Australia’s food safety agency is currently investigating the declaration of spice contamination from these two companies to determine if a recall is necessary.
The FSSAI quickly took action by launching a nationwide campaign on April 22, involving all state and union territory food safety commissioners and FSSAI regional directors.
According to sources, the regulator carried out thorough inspections of spice manufacturing facilities and tested samples of spice products intended for sale in the domestic market.
The Spice Board provided instructions to spice exporters on the use of ethylene oxide as a fumigant to sterilize spices and address microbial contamination by the importing countries’ standards.
Date : 02 June 2023 Time : 10 AM to 05 PM
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