MDH and Everest masala banned

 Why Spices, Masala Banned - Is Your Health At Risk?

Popular masala brands MDH and Everest have been banned in Singapore and Hong Kong, raising concerns about people's health

Indian spices are loved by people across the globe. Historical evidence indicates that India has been exporting spices since around 1,500 BC. However, the recent ban on leading brands such as MDH and Everest masala in Singapore, Hong Kong and Nepal seems an alarming development.

Why is MDH and Everest masala banned?

Some of the masala products manufactured by MDH and Everest were banned because they had higher than permissible limits of Ethylene Oxide. The banned MDH masala products include MDH Madras Curry Powder, MDH Sambhar Mixed Masala Powder and MDH Mixed Masala Curry Powder. In the case of Everest, the banned product is Everest Fish Curry Masala.

It is important to note that Ethylene Oxide is a known Group 1 carcinogen. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Ethylene Oxide can increase health risks. It has potential to cause breast cancer. Everest masala has faced issues with their products earlier also. In an earlier case in 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had forced a recall of Everest Food Products. This was after the food products were found to have been contaminated with dangerous Salmonella bacteria.

Which masala is banned in India?

While MDH and Everest masala products were banned in Singapore, Hong Kong and Nepal, there is no such ban in India. It is because samples collected from India did not have quality issues. FSSAI had collected 34 samples from MDH and Everest spices. Among these, 25 samples were collected from MDH's processing facilities in Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. 9 Everest masala samples were collected from the company's facilities in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The MDH and Everest samples were tested based on various parameters such as heavy metals, pesticide residues, aflatoxins, insect and rodent contamination and moisture content. Presence of Ethylene Oxide was also tested at NABL-accredited laboratories. None of the samples tested had Ethylene Oxide. As all samples were safe, MDH and Everest products were not banned in India.

However, FSSAI has found quality issues with smaller masala brands across the country. A total of 4,000 samples were collected. It included samples of other popular masala brands such as Badshah and Catch as well. Among the 2,200 tests completed thus far, 111 have failed to meet quality standards. Manufacturing licenses of these masala producers have been cancelled with immediate effect. Most of these failed masala products are from small masala businesses located in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Small masala manufacturers in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are also under the scanner of FSSAI.

Is MDH, Everest masala harmful?

As is evident from above, MDH and Everest masala have been tested safe for consumption in India. The samples of MDH and Everest masala in Singapore and Hong Kong need to be thoroughly investigated. Such cases create a bad impression and adversely impact India's exports. India is the world's primary supplier of spices. Bad reputation can hurt the entire spice industry in the country. India exports around 200 different varieties of spices to around 180 countries. Annual export revenues are close to USD 5 billion.