MDH and Everest Spices: After discovering that four spice items from well-known Indian companies, MDH and Everest, contained a chemical known to cause cancer, Hong Kong’s food safety agency prohibited them. On April 5, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) declared that it had found ethylene oxide, a carcinogen-classified pesticide, in three MDH products: Everest’s Fish Curry Masala, Madras Curry Powder, and Mixed Masala Powder.
Food Safety Agency’s Findings
According to the CFS, samples of the four goods were gathered as part of its regular food monitoring program, and upon analysis, it was discovered that ethylene oxide—which is not fit for human consumption—was present. The selling of food with pesticide residues beyond permissible limits is prohibited by rules in Hong Kong.
“According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health,” CFS report said.
Regulatory Response and Investigation
The CFS has opened an investigation and directed merchants to take the impacted items off of the shelves. Additionally, the regulator said that “appropriate action” might be done. Everest’s Fish Curry Masala was recalled by Singapore‘s Food Agency (SFA) for having levels of ethylene oxide that were higher than allowed, following Hong Kong’s example.
SFA made it clear that although low concentrations of ethylene oxide do not immediately pose a concern to health, continuous exposure to the chemical may do so because of its carcinogenic qualities. The claims that carcinogens are present in MDH and Everest’s goods have not yet been formally addressed.
