After Singapore, Hong Kong also bans sale of Indian spice brands Everest, MDH over pesticide concerns

After Singapore, Hong Kong has emerged as the second country to place a ban on the sale of popular Indian spice brands - Everest Food Products Pvt and MDH Pvt - after alleging that carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide has been found in several of its spice mixes.

Last week, a similar step was taken by Singapore which alleged that samples of Everest spices when tested were found to contain ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits.

The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Centre For Food Safety announced that in the routine surveillance programmes, they found the presence of ethylene oxide in three spice mixes which belonged to MDH Group - Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder.

"The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products," the CFS said in a statement.

Meanwhile, it was also found that pesticides were present in Everest Group's Fish Curry Masala. The ethylene oxide allegedly found in the spices has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and increases the risk of breast cancer.

In the wake of the findings, action has been taken by both Hong Kong and Singapore to protect public health.

Here's how Everest reacted after Singapore recalled its products

Singapore recalled the popular Everest's Fish Curry Masala after the country's Food Agency (SFA) highlighted the presence of ethylene oxide at increased levels, which is unsuitable for human consumption.

"The Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong has issued a notification on the recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala from India due to the presence of ethylene oxide at levels exceeding permissible limits," said the Singapore Food Agency, in a statement.

Watch:Indian tourist numbers slump in Maldives

While responding to WION, the company said, "Everest is a 50+-year-old reputed brand and all our products go through stringent checks in the factory before despatch. We strictly follow the highest hygiene and food safety standards and norms laid down by the concerned authorities and statutory bodies like the Indian Spice Board, FSSAI and others."

"Before export, every shipment goes through quality inspection by the Spice Board of India. However, we are awaiting an official communication to understand the issue and our quality control team will look into the matter," it added.

WION has reached out to MDH for a comment on the issue but no reply has been received so far.

(With inputs from agencies)