Maldives Bans Indian Spice Brands Everest and MDH Over Claims of Cancer-Causing Pesticide

Maldives Bans Indian Spice Brands Everest and MDH: In response to Hong Kong and Singapore banning Indian spices Everest and MDH, the Maldives' food and drug authority banned them due to ethylene oxide content in the Indian spices.

According to Adhadhu, ethylene oxide is used to fumigate agricultural products, but is not recommended for use in food products.

In various pre-packaged spice products from MDH and Everest, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong detected ethylene oxide -- a prohibited pesticide.

Additionally, the Singapore Food Agency and Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety have advised consumers against using the products.

There's a risk assessment going on for these brands, which are imported and used a lot in the Maldives.

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Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) asked consumers and traders not to buy or sell MDH's Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, or MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.

In response to reports from Hong Kong and Singapore food safety regulators, Indian spice king MDH strongly denied allegations of pesticide contamination.

We the manufacturers of MDH spices, we state that amidst speculations doing round that there is presence of ETO in our products, we clarify and state unequivocally that these claims are untrue and lack any substantiating evidence. Additionally, MDH has not received any… pic.twitter.com/O5H9lvPzJh

— MDH Spices Official (@SpicesMdh) April 28, 2024

MDH reassured consumers, stating, "We do not use ethylene oxide at any stage of our spice production. Our products adhere to stringent health and safety standards both in India and internationally."

According to the company, neither the Spice Board of India nor the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had been contacted by Hong Kong or Singapore regarding these findings.

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"This reinforces the fact that the allegations against MDH are baseless, unsubstantiated, and not backed by any concrete evidence."

The statement states that spices are never stored, processed, or packed with Ethylene Oxide (ETO).

"The allegations lack evidence and are therefore baseless and unsubstantiated," MDH said in its statement.

Its tagline, "Asli Masale Sach Sach, MDH MDH" and "Real Spices of India" reflect its commitment to quality and authenticity.

The world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices, India, reached nearly 32,000 crore in fiscal 2022-23.

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