Representational.
Jaipur: The state of Rajasthan has written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) seeking guidance in the matter after some popular spice brand samples failed tests in the state.
The state government has also written to the governments of Gujarat and Haryana, requesting action against the offending brands since their manufacturing units are located in those states.
According to Shubhra Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary for the Department of Medical, Health, and Family Welfare, a special campaign was started on May 8 of last month to gather samples throughout the state's districts. Ninety-three samples—including some from well-known companies—were gathered as part of the programme.
The State Central Public Health Laboratory subsequently reported that extremely high concentrations of pesticides and insecticides were discovered in certain samples.
The results of the testing showed that MDH's Garam Masala included traces of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid; its Sabzi Masala and Chana Masala contained profenofos and tricyclazole; and Everest Spices' Jeera Masala contained thiamethoxam and azaxystrobin.
Garam Masala from Shyam Spices Company contained acetamiprid as well; Raita Masala from Ciba Taaza contained both acetamiprid and Thiamethoxam; and Achaar Masala from Gajanand Spices contained ethion.
Following the findings, Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar instructed the officials to plan a special campaign. Chief Medical and Health Officers of the state and all designated officers were instructed to seize any spices deemed unsafe, and on June 8th, over 12,000 kilogrammes of spices were taken into custody.
Further, letters have been written to the relevant state Food Safety Commissioners requesting action because the manufacturing facilities for MDH Spices are in Haryana and Everest and Gajanand Spices are in Gujarat. In addition, a letter requesting action on the subject has been sent to the FSSAI Chief Executive Officer.
In an interview with The Indian Express, ACS Singh stated that this move was made in response to Singapore's prohibition on some Indian spices because they were discovered to have carcinogens and to protect the public's health.
She stated that the letter to the FSSAI relates to additional guidance on how to proceed with the situation, as the manufacturers have insisted that they do not add these insecticides.
The masala lobby claims that during the processing, no herbicides or insecticides are added and “that it is coming from the soil itself, in the produce they are taking. It is not a top up but is intrinsic,” ACS Singh said.
She added that while the concerns remain and will need to be addressed as it’s a wider issue, “shutting down factories is not on the anvil.”
An official noted that because Rajasthan cannot directly act against manufacturing firms in the other two states, it has asked the FSSAI to ensure that they do so.