Everest and MDH under scrutiny after cancer-causing chemicals found by Hong Kong, Singapore food regulators
The Food and Environmental Safety Authority reported having collected data from four products during its routine checks and conducted tests to detect ethylene oxide
Indian spice brands MDH and Everest are under scrutiny after the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong which regularly monitors food quality released a report on 5th April that four products from well-known Indian brands MDH and Everest contained ethylene oxide, a pesticide not meant for human consumption and labeled as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The Food and Environmental Safety Authority of Hong Kong has traced the adulteration of the three spice products, namely, MDH Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala, and Curry Powder and Everest Fish Curry Masala, using ethylene oxide. The Authority reported having collected data from four products during its routine checks and conducted tests to detect ethylene oxide.The CFS representative stated, “The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health. An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.”
As per the media report published by the Indo Asian-News Service (IANS), vendors have been instructed to stop selling and pull off these products from the shelves of the stores with regard to consumer safety in the food industry. The CFS revealed that it is currently looking into the matter and that any necessary action will be taken. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has acted by recalling Everest fish curry masala imported from India that has been found to contain ethylene oxide.
This obnoxious substance has been connected with breast cancer, lymphoma. The authorities have announced safety measures directed at consumers’ health. The SFA advised those who bought these affected foods not to use them and recommended those who are worried to seek medical advice.
This is not happening for the first time when Indian companies are asked to remove their products from the International market. In September 2019 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ceased at least three batches of MDH’s sambar masala from the US when they had positive salmonella test reports.
Last June, the US FDA directed Everest Food Products to recall their items, sambhar masala and garam masala as well as the widely popular quick-to-make maggi, which was also asked to recall its Maggi Magic Masala due to positive tests for Salmonella. These bacteria are so called due to their power to cause such symptoms like diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, fever, dizziness and vomiting.
It’s concerning that both MDH and Everest have products with chemical levels that surpass the permitted limit, and what’s even more alarming is that the companies have not responded to this revelation. Consumers should be given full transparency by these food producing companies as their adulterated products can result in serious health consequences.
