1. Hong Kong’s food safety authorities banned four products from Indian spice brands MDH and Everest.
2. Ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide, was detected in MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala, as well as Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.
3. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) announced the ban after routine surveillance revealed the presence of the chemical.
Hong Kong, April 22: Hong Kong’s food safety authorities have taken action against popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest, banning four of their products after discovering the presence of a cancer-causing chemical.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) revealed on April 5 that three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – along with Everest’s Fish Curry Masala, were found to contain ethylene oxide, a pesticide classified as a carcinogen.
This discovery came during routine food surveillance, prompting the CFS to prohibit the sale of these products due to the presence of ethylene oxide, which is deemed unsafe for human consumption under Hong Kong regulations.
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According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), food containing pesticide residues exceeding safe limits cannot be sold unless it is determined that consumption of the food is not harmful to health.
Vendors were instructed to remove the affected products from shelves, and an investigation has been initiated. The CFS has also warned of potential “appropriate action” in response to the findings.
Following Hong Kong’s actions, Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) issued a recall of Everest’s Fish Curry Masala for exceeding permissible levels of ethylene oxide.
Although SFA clarified that low levels of the chemical pose no immediate risk, prolonged consumption could lead to health concerns due to its carcinogenic nature.
Despite these developments, MDH and Everest have yet to publicly address the reports of carcinogens in their products, leaving consumers awaiting further information and reassurance regarding product safety.
