Hong Kong bans MDH, Everest spices a week after Singapore, cites presence of carcinogenic substances

After Singapore, Hong Kong has banned Indian-origin spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. after the alleged detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in their spice mixes. The Centre For Food Safety of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on April 5 that a routine surveillance has revealed that three spice mixes from MDH group - Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder have the presence of ethylene oxide.

MDH, Everest spices banned in HongKong

According to a statement quoted by NDTV, "The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected products."

Last week a report revealed that Everest Group's Fish Curry Masala was found to contain the pesticide ethylene oxide, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It poses serious health concerns including an elevated risk of breast cancer.

Singapore bans Indian fish masala from Everest

Singapore has issued a recall for Everest Fish Curry Masala, a well-known spice product imported from India. Singapore Food Agency said in a statement, “The Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong has issued a notification on the recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala from India due to the presence of ethylene oxide at levels exceeding permissible limits.”

Also watch: Singapore recalls Everest fish curry masala over alleged excess pesticide content