According to the Government, Indian Spices are not Banned in Singapore and Hong Kong

Indian spices have not been prohibited by countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong, as Minister of State for Health, Prataprao Jadhav stated during a Lok Sabha session on Friday.

However, the Food Safety Authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore previously recalled certain batches of specific spice mixtures due to ethylene oxide (EtO) levels exceeding the allowable limits.

In response to this issue, the Spices Board, operating under the Ministry of Commerce, has introduced a range of measures. These measures consist of mandatory pre-shipment testing for spices intended for these countries and detailed guidelines for exporters.

These initiatives aim to eliminate EtO contamination throughout every phase of production, including procurement, processing, packaging, storage, and transportation, thereby ensuring adherence to the different EtO limits set by the importing countries.

Furthermore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is instrumental in safeguarding food product safety. The FSSAI routinely carries out surveillance, monitoring, inspections, and random sampling of food items, including spices, to verify compliance with the quality standards established by the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006.

The FSSAI’s stringent monitoring system ensures that consumers nationwide have access to safe food products. When food businesses do not adhere to safety regulations, penalties are imposed under the FSS Act of 2006.

To get regular Food Industry updates, feel free to join our WhatsApp group: Joining link