Indian manufacturer Everest Food Products said on Tuesday that its spices are safe for consumption after Singapore and Hong Kong issued warnings that the products contained high levels of carcinogenic pesticides. declared to be safe.
Earlier this month, Singapore advised its citizens not to use spice mixes in fish curry. The move comes after Hong Kong suspended the sale of Everest spice mix for fish curry, along with three other products from India’s equally popular MDH brand.
Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong said the products were suspected to contain high concentrations of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide.
On April 18, Singapore’s Food Authority said, “Consumers who have purchased the related products are advised not to consume the Everest Fish Curry Spice Mix,” and urged consumers to consult a doctor if they are concerned. Ta.
Everest says spices are safe
Everest said in a statement on Tuesday that certain items being tested were safe for consumption, Reuters reported, citing a statement from company directors.
Rajiv Shah, director of Everest Food Products, said, “Exports will be allowed only after obtaining necessary permissions and approvals from the Institute of Spice Board of India.”
He added that only one of the 60 products is being held for testing and is safe to use and there is no need to worry.
MDH has not yet responded to the allegations. According to Reuters, India’s spice export regulator, the Spices Board of India, also asked Everest and MDH on Tuesday to provide details of their quality inspections.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), India’s apex food regulator, has also asked all states to collect samples of powdered spices and conduct spot checks. indian express The newspaper reported.
The regulator plans to release a consolidated report on the issue within the next 25 days, the newspaper said.
MDH and Everest are well known in Indian kitchens as the main choice of spices used in home and restaurant cooking. The company also exports to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.
rm/wmr (Reuters)
