Hong Kong bans sale of two Indian spice brands over finding pesticide

New Delhi: Hong Kong banned the sale of India spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. following Singapore’s similar action against Everest last week, NDTV reported.

Hong Kong’s action came after the alleged finding of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.

Presence of ethylene oxide beyond permissible limit was allegedly found in Everest product in Singapore earlier, according to the report.

During routine surveillance, Ethylene oxide was found in MDH Group’s three spice mixes: Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder, Hong Kong’s Centre For Food Safety announced.

‘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,’ it reportedly stated.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer previously classified Ethylene oxide a Group 1 carcinogen, posing serious health risks including that of breast cancer.

Both countries have taken action on the grounds of protecting protect public health.

Singapore also recalled Everest's products from its shelves, allegedly citing the presence of pesticides above safe levels.

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