Indian Spice Exports Have Potential for Cancer-Causing Pesticide

An FDA Enforcement Report states that some Indian spice exports have the potential to contain a cancer-causing pesticide.

Reuters reports that the FDA is continuing to gather information on the products generated by Indian spice makers MDH and Everest. Hong Kong stopped selling these products after they were allegedly found to contain high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

“The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation,” said an FDA spokesperson. According to Reuters, Hong Kong wasn’t the only country that suspended sales of three MDH spice blends and one Everest spice mix used for fish curry recipes.

After Singapore, Hong Kong Bans Sale Of MDH, Everest Spices https://t.co/LY6oVXyTVW pic.twitter.com/0ucanl479x

— NDTV (@ndtv) April 22, 2024

These include the Madras curry powder, sambhar masala mixed masala powder, curry powder mixed masala powder by MDH, and fish curry masala by Everest. Singapore also recalled the Everest mix, claiming it contains high levels of ethylene oxide (ETO), which is unfit for human consumption and has a cancer risk with prolonged exposure.

However, Business Standard shared a statement from MDH that refutes these claims. MDH Spices denies the allegations that its products have traces of cancer-causing agents, such as ETO. They state the claims are “untrue” and lack “any substantiating evidence.”

The statement continues, “Additionally, MDH has not received any communication from the regulatory authorities of Singapore or Hong Kong. Our statement is further supported by the fact that nodal regulatory authorities such as the Spice Board of India and FSSAI have not received any communication or test reports from Hong Kong or Singapore authorities regarding this matter.”

MDH and Everest spices are among India’s most popular and sold in Europe, Asia, and North America. Following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — India’s food regulator — is now investigating the quality standards of both companies.

Details of the recall were found in an import report from the United States Food and Drug Administration dated April 16, 2024. It contains information regarding the pesticide potential in specific packaged spice blends.