Britain’s food regulatory body has implemented additional control measures on all imports of spices from India, becoming the first to heighten scrutiny of Indian spice imports in response to contamination allegations against two brands. Last month, Hong Kong halted sales of spice blends from MDH and Everest due to elevated levels of the pesticide ethylene oxide, which is linked to cancer. Singapore also issued a recall of Everest products, prompting other countries including New Zealand, the United States, India, and Australia to investigate the matter.
Both MDH and Everest, prominent Indian spice brands, have asserted the safety of their products. The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has initiated stringent measures regarding all Indian spices, specifically targeting pesticide residues like ethylene oxide. However, the FSA has not provided details about these measures.
James Cooper, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the FSA, emphasized that ethylene oxide is prohibited in the UK, with maximum residue levels established for herbs and spices. The Spices Board of India, responsible for regulating exports, has not yet commented on the issue. India is the largest exporter, consumer, and producer of spices globally.
In 2022, Britain imported spices valued at $128 million, with nearly $23 million originating from India. MDH and Everest export their products to various regions worldwide, including the U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. While Indian regulators have conducted testing on spice products and inspected samples from MDH and Everest, the results have not been disclosed.
An analysis of U.S. FDA data indicates that since 2021, approximately 14.5% of MDH’s shipments to the U.S. have been rejected due to the presence of salmonella bacteria. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency stated that it is aware of the concerns surrounding MDH and Everest products but has found no evidence suggesting issues with products currently in the Canadian market. They continue to monitor the situation closely.
