Government is taking action against spice-exporting companies Everest and MDH, conducting inspections and recommending corrective actions after tests revealed the presence of ethylene oxide in products exported to Singapore and Hong Kong, an official told PTI. The government had found that some samples of Everest spices were non-compliant under the strictest standards (0.1 mg per Kg) regarding presence of ethylene oxide. The tests had been conducted after Hong Kong, on April 5, asked its citizens not to consume four products of MDH and Everest Food Products citing the presence of pesticide, ethylene oxide (EtO). Later on April 18, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered the recall of Everest’s fish curry masala stating that it had ethylene oxide at a level which is “not fit for human consumption”.
“We have carried out sample testing from both these companies and we have found that all 18 samples of MDH were compliant with standards. However, in the case of Everest, some of the samples (out of 12) were non-compliant and for that we have told them to take corrective actions and we are working with them to ensure that they are compliant,” the official stated.
Countries across the world follow different MRL (maximum residual limit) for EtO. While the EU has fixed this limit at 0.02-0.1 mg per kg, Singapore’s limit is 50 mg per kg and Japan has 0.01 mg per kg.
The official also told PTI that the said requirements over MRL are evolving over time and the spices industry is fully aware of this. “We have had three industry-wide consultations on the issue. They are also looking at alternatives to Eto use. There are alternate technologies that are being used by many exporters and these are being examined by the industry,” the official added.
Meanwhile, India has come out with detailed guidelines to prevent EtO contamination in spices for exports, another official told PTI. The government has put in place other preventive measures like mandatory testing of spices being exported to Singapore and Hong Kong. “Mandatory pre-shipment sampling and testing for EtO for Singapore and Hong Kong has been started; and guidelines have been put in place for all exporters to avoid possible contamination of EtO – covering all stages (sourcing, packaging, transportation, testing) of supply chain, for all jurisdictions,” the official said.
It is worth noting that despite these controversies, Indian spice exports are thriving. In FY24, spice exports from India increased to $4.25 billion from $3.76 billion the previous year. The major spices exported from India include chilli powder, which topped the list with USD 1.3 billion in exports, followed by cumin at USD 550 million, turmeric at USD 220 million, cardamom at USD 130 million, mixed spices at USD 110 million, and spice oils and oleoresins at USD 1 billion. Other notable exports were asafoetida, saffron, anise, nutmeg, mace, clove, and cinnamon.