Following the lead of Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal has banned the sale and consumption of spices produced by prominent Indian brands Everest and MDH due to safety concerns. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control of Nepal initiated the ban amidst reports of harmful chemicals found in these products.
The move comes after traces of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide, were detected in the spices, raising alarm about their safety. “Everest and MDH brand spices have been banned from import and sale on the market,” stated Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokesperson for Nepal’s food technology departments said. “Tests are underway for the chemicals in the spices of these two particular brands. The ban will remain in place until the final report is released,” he added.
Everest and MDH spices, known for their wide range and quality, have been staples in Indian households for decades and are also exported to several international markets, including the Middle East. The recent concerns, however, have prompted a wave of scrutiny across multiple countries. Reports by Reuters indicate that the spices are also under investigation in New Zealand, the United States, and Australia.
Jenny Bishop, the acting deputy director general of New Zealand’s food safety regulator, commented on the situation: “Ethylene oxide is a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, and its use for food sterilization has been phased out in New Zealand and other countries. As MDH and Everest spices are also available in New Zealand, we are looking into this issue.”
The Hong Kong food safety authority banned four spice products from the two brands in April, followed by Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) recalling Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to exceeding permissible levels of ethylene oxide just days later.
In response to the international concern, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered quality checks on MDH and Everest products and sought detailed reports from the food safety regulators of Hong Kong and Singapore.
The ongoing investigations and bans underscore the growing global vigilance on food safety and the importance of stringent quality controls in the manufacturing and export of food products. The final outcomes of these tests and reports will determine the future course of action for these widely trusted spice brands.
