Popular Indian spice companies MDH and Everest have banned the sale of certain products in Hong Kong and Singapore after they were found to contain cancer-causing ingredients. These products are exported to many countries including Bangladesh. The central government of India is going to take urgent measures to deal with the matter. News Hindustan Times.
These products are advertised by Shah Rukh and Amitabh Bachchan
It is reported that the problem was initially reported with MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Sambar Masala and Curry Powder Masala and Everest Food Products Limited’s Fish Curry Masala.
On April 5, Hong Kong’s food safety agency Center for Food Safety (CFS) said in a notification that these products contained ethylene oxide much higher than the acceptable level. This dangerous chemical can cause cancer. Some of these products are also used as pesticides.
All shops and supermarkets in Hong Kong have been ordered to stop selling and displaying these products after tests found cancer-causing ingredients. These products were quickly removed from the Hong Kong market in compliance with this government directive.
Meanwhile, in a similar statement on April 18, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered Everest’s fish curry masala to be withdrawn from the Singapore market. The company’s spice importer ‘Spice Muthaiah & Son Pvt Ltd’ has been ordered to stop its import and sale in Singapore.
Citing the reason for this, Singaporean authorities said that ethylene oxide was found in the curry spice higher than the acceptable level. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has identified this chemical as a ‘group 1 carcinogen’, with a very high risk of causing cancer.
Everest and MDH are two very popular companies in Indian spice market. Beyond the borders of India, they have a reputation in Bangladesh, Middle East or Europe-America. Their products are exported to at least 90 countries. Countries like Hong Kong and Singapore taking such negative action on the spices of these two companies will hurt their business all over the world. However, no official response has been given by Everest or MDH company in this regard.
However, according to a source of the Ministry of Commerce of India, these products are exported to at least 90 countries in the world. Little problems have been seen with these in both countries. The ministry has expressed hope that it will be resolved soon.
Tags: Cancer ingredients Indias popular spices Ban Hong Kong Singapore Live Newspaper
