MDH, Everest: New Zealand Joins Bandwagon Of Global Probe On Indian Spices Over Safety Concerns

New Zealand has joined a growing list of countries investigating possible contamination in spice products from renowned Indian brands MDH and Everest. The move follows similar actions taken by the United States and Australia, prompted by concerns raised after Hong Kong suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and one from Everest due to contamination fears.

Vincent Arbuckle, the deputy director-general of New Zealand Food Safety, affirmed the country's awareness of the issue and the active investigation into it. With MDH and Everest spices also available in New Zealand, authorities are diligently examining the situation to ensure consumer safety.

The concern centres around the detection of high levels of ethylene oxide, a cancer-causing pesticide, in certain spice blends. Hong Kong authorities were the first to raise alarms about the presence of this harmful chemical, prompting Singapore to follow suit by recalling the Everest spice mix.

Ethylene oxide is a chemical known to cause cancer in humans, leading to heightened concerns about its presence in food products. Its use for food sterilisation has been phased out in New Zealand and other countries due to its carcinogenic properties.

New Zealand Food Safety emphasised the seriousness of the issue, acknowledging ethylene oxide's health risks and underscoring the need for a thorough investigation. As both MDH and Everest spices are available in New Zealand, the regulatory body is taking proactive measures to address potential risks to consumers.

In parallel, Indian regulators at the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are conducting inspections of MDH and Everest facilities. The companies have also sent samples for testing amidst global scrutiny, reflecting their commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of their products.

The sales bans imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore have prompted the FSSAI to develop a new method for detecting ethylene oxide in spices. This method, described as more accurate, has been validated by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, the national reference laboratory for food safety in India.

The international collaboration in investigating spice contamination highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing food safety concerns. With spices being essential ingredients in cuisines worldwide, maintaining stringent safety standards is crucial to protecting public health.

Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and heed any recalls or safety advisories issued by regulatory authorities regarding spice products. As investigations continue, the findings will inform future regulations and measures aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the food supply chain.

The investigation into contaminated Indian spice mixes underscores the shared commitment of nations to prioritise consumer safety and uphold the highest standards of food quality and integrity.

News Agency Inputs