MDH And Everest Under US FDA Scanner For Alleged Contamination

Information on products of Indian spice makers MDH and Everest is being gathered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

This step by the US food authority was initiated after sales of some of their products were halted by Hong Kong due to alleged high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

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MDH And Everest Under US FDA Scanner

"The FDA is aware of the reports and additional information about the situation is being gathered," stated an FDA spokesperson on Friday, as reported by Reuters. This month, sales of three MDH spice blends and an Everest spice mix for fish curries were suspended by Hong Kong.

Notably, Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix, citing high levels of ethylene oxide, which is considered unfit for human consumption and poses a cancer risk with prolonged exposure. The review of alleged contamination of Indian spice products by the US FDA was first reported by Reuters.

MDH and Everest have not yet responded to Reuters' requests for comment on this matter, as reported by First Post. However previous statements from Everest have emphasized the safety of its spices for consumption and called the study 'False'. MDH has not responded to inquiries regarding its products.

MDH and Everest spices are widely popular in India and are also marketed in Europe, Asia, and North America. India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) is currently inspecting the quality standards of both companies following the actions taken by Hong Kong and Singapore, as reported by ANI.

India's Spices Board, the government regulator for spice exports, has stated that it sought data on MDH and Everest exports from authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore. Additionally, it is collaborating with the companies to identify the "root cause" of the quality issues as inspections commence at their facilities. In 2019, several batches of MDH's products were recalled in the US due to salmonella contamination, as per media reports.