MDH, Everest masala row: India seeks details from Singapore, Hong Kong
MDH, Everest masala row: India has sought information from Singapore and Hong Kong food safety regulators, who have banned certain spices from Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns. The Centre has also directed Indian embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong to submit detailed reports on the matter.
The commerce ministry of the world's largest producer has also sought information from Indian firms MDH and Everest, whose products have been banned for allegedly exceeding permissible limits of pesticide 'ethylene oxide'.
"Details have been sought from the companies. The root cause of the rejection and corrective actions will be determined along with the exporters concerned," the commerce ministry stated.
Technical details, analytical reports, and information on the exporters whose consignments were rejected have been requested from the Singapore and Hong Kong embassies, according to the official.
Details have also been sought from Singapore's Food Agency and Centre for Food Safety, as well as Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the official added.
According to the ministry official, an industry consultation has been scheduled to discuss the issue of mandatory ethylene oxide testing in spice shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is investigating the ban imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore on the sale of four spice-mix products from Indian brands MDH and Everest.
Hong Kong's food safety regulator has advised consumers not to buy these products and traders not to sell them, while the Singapore Food Agency has ordered a recall of the products.
- With inputs from agencies
