Food regulators in Singapore and Hong Kong withdrew several products from India’s leading spice companies, MDH and Everest, after finding the presence of ethylene oxide, a cancer causing chemical.
On April 5, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) revealed that ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide, was found in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – as well as Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.
Singapore and Hong Kong’s action
Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department stated on its website in early April that it had collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui, respectively, for testing under its routine food surveillance programme.
The test findings revealed that the samples contained a pesticide called ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors involved of the abnormalities and directed them to cease selling and remove the contaminated items from the shelves.
It also warned about ethylene oxide, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) classification of the chemical as a Group 1 carcinogen. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has also ordered Everest’s ‘Fish Curry Masala’ to be returned after ethylene oxide levels were found to be “exceeding the permissible limit”. The importer of the spice, Sp Muthiah & Son were asked to recall the product by the regulator.
Everest’s Reponse
Everest completely denied the news reports which claimed that it’s products are banned in Singapore and Hong Kong. In a report by Reuters the company said that the reports of Everest products being banned in Singapore, Hong Kong are false. Singapore’s food safety authority has asked their Singapore importer to recall and temporarily hold product for further inspection, One out of 60 Everest products held for examination in Singapore.
Actions taken by FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will test samples of spices from all the manufacturing units in India. The report is said to be out from the lab in around 20 days.
Why is ethylene oxide harmful ?
Ethylene oxide is a colorless, combustible gas with a pleasant smell. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it is mostly used in the production of other compounds, such as ethylene glycol, or antifreeze. It is also used to make textiles, detergents, polyurethane foam, medicine, adhesives and solvents. It poses a long-term health risk. According to the IARC there is enough evidence to conclude that it can cause cancer in humans, which classifies ethylene oxide as a “Group 1 carcinogen.”
