Spice brands MDH, Everest banned in Singapore, Hong Kong over presence of pesticides ethylene oxide

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on April 5 that samples of several kinds of prepackaged spice mix products - MDH Pvt.

After Singapore banned the sale of the popular Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. last week, now Hong Kong has also imposed a ban on the sale of the Indian spice brands. The ban has been imposed after alleged detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on April 5 that samples of several kinds of prepackaged spice mix products – MDH Pvt. and Everest were found to contain a pesticide, ethylene oxide. Members of the public should not consume the affected products. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess any of them.

“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 sale and remove from shelves the affected products” read the statement released by CFS.

It was further mentioned in the press release by CFS that Everest group’s Fish Curry Masala was found to contain the pesticide. Ethylene oxide, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, poses serious health risks, including an elevated risk of breast cancer.
The food regulator of Hong Kong had found that three products of MDH — Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras Curry), Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder — and Everest Fish Curry Masala contained the pesticide ethylene oxide, which is a Group-1 carcinogen

https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/press/20240405_10919.html

In reaction to the findings, Hong Kong and Singapore have taken steps to protect public health. Singapore has also withdrawn Everest items from its shelves, alleging the presence of pesticides exceeding permissible levels.

Eartlier in 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of Everest Food Products after they tested positive for Salmonella.

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