2024-04-25 16:58:03
New Delhi: India, the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices, has sought details from food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong regarding the ban on spice products of two Indian companies. Singapore and Hong Kong recently banned some spice products from MDH and Everest companies due to quality concerns. The Commerce Ministry has also directed the Indian embassies present in these two countries to send a detailed report on this matter. The ministry has also sought details from the two companies covered under the ban – MDH and Everest. Their products have been banned due to them allegedly containing pesticide ‘ethylene oxide’ more than the permissible limits.
A Commerce Ministry official said, ‘Details have been sought from the companies. The root cause of rejection of Indian spice products will be identified and resolved in coordination with the concerned exporters. The official said technical details, analytical reports and details about exporters have been sought from the embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong in this regard. Apart from this, details have also been sought from the Food Safety Body of Singapore and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong. An industry consultation has also been scheduled to discuss the issue of mandatory testing of ethylene oxide in exported spice products.
Fingers raised today, but this is how Everest Spices started, from a small shop it became a brand worth crores.
considering ban
Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is considering a ban on the sale of four spice-blend products of MDH and Everest. Hong Kong’s food safety regulator has asked consumers not to buy the products and traders not to sell them, while the Singapore Food Agency has ordered a recall of the products.