Indian Spice Row: Ethylene oxide not found in 28 samples of MDH and Everest, FSSAI released report

MDH, Everest Row: Food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday said 28 samples of spices from two major brands MDH and Everest, tested in accredited labs, were found to contain ethylene oxide (ETO). ) presence has not been found.

Reports of six others regarding spices are yet to come. Recently, after Hong Kong and Singapore raised questions on these popular spice brands and imposed ban on the allegations that these spices contain ethylene oxide, FSSAI started taking samples of spices of all the brands including MDH and Everest from across the country.

FSSAI said that nine samples were taken from two manufacturing units of Everest Spices while 25 samples were taken from 11 manufacturing units of MDH. Out of the total 34 samples taken, reports of 28 have come. Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) had asked consumers not to buy some of MDH and Everest spices, citing the presence of ethylene oxide in excess of the permissible limits.

These spices were banned

These spices included MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambar Masala Mixed Spice Powder, MDH Curry Powder Mixed Spice Powder etc. According to sources, a nationwide sampling campaign was started on April 22 through Food Safety Commissioners of all states and Union Territories and regional directors of FSSAI.

The laboratory reports received so far were examined by FSSAI's scientific panel and found that the presence of ethylene oxide was not found in the samples. Let us tell you here that apart from Hong Kong and Singapore, some other countries including Nepal had also stopped using Indian spices.