The Aryavarth Express
Agency (HYDERABAD) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively gathering information on products from Indian spice giants MDH and Everest following allegations of contamination that led to sales halts and recalls in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Earlier this month, authorities in Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and an Everest fish curry mix, citing unacceptable levels of a pesticide known to be a carcinogen. Singapore soon followed, mandating a recall of the Everest product over concerns about its ethylene oxide content, which poses significant cancer risks with prolonged exposure.
The FDA has not yet issued a recall but is closely monitoring the situation and collecting additional data to assess the need for further action in the United States. Both MDH and Everest have substantial markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, and are staples in many households for Indian cuisine.
Everest has responded to the claims by assuring that their products are safe for consumption, while MDH has yet to release a comment regarding the current allegations.
India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) is also conducting a review of these companies’ products. Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India, which oversees spice exports, is in contact with its counterparts in Hong Kong and Singapore to ascertain the cause of the reported contamination. They have initiated inspections at MDH and Everest’s manufacturing facilities to investigate these claims further. This incident follows a previous scare in 2019 when MDH was forced to recall several batches of its products in the U.S. due to salmonella contamination.
