MDH Refutes Pesticide Allegations, Assures Spices Are Safe

MDH, a prominent spice brand, has recently addressed concerns regarding the safety of its products. The company firmly stated that its spices are 100% safe, countering claims about the presence of pesticides in some of its products as alleged by food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore. This response comes after the Center for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong earlier this month reported finding a pesticide, ethylene oxide, in samples of pre-packaged spice-mix products from two Indian brands, including MDH.

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The CFS specifically advised against the purchase and sale of several MDH products, such as MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder. Despite these allegations, MDH has communicated that it has not been directly contacted by the food safety regulators from either Hong Kong or Singapore. The brand emphasizes that the claims regarding the presence of ethylene oxide in its products are unfounded and lack evidence.

MDH further highlighted that neither the Spice Board of India nor the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have been notified about these allegations by the authorities in Hong Kong or Singapore. This absence of communication underscores MDH's stance that the allegations are without merit and unsupported by factual evidence. The company reassures its customers about the safety and quality of its spices, stating that ethylene oxide is not used at any stage of their spice storage, processing, or packaging processes.

Adhering to both domestic and international health and safety standards is a priority for MDH. The company's commitment to offering authentic and high-quality spices is reflected in its tagline "Asli Masale Sach Sach, MDH MDH" and "Real Spices of India." Following the directive from Hong Kong, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also initiated a recall of imported Everest Fish Curry Masala. India's status as the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices is significant, with exports in 2022-23 nearing Rs 32,000 crore. Major exported spices include chilli, cumin, spice oil and oleoresins, turmeric, curry powder, and cardamom.

This incident highlights the importance of stringent quality controls and transparent communication between food safety regulators and manufacturers to ensure consumer safety. As MDH continues to navigate through these allegations, it remains focused on maintaining the trust and confidence of its customers worldwide by upholding high standards of product safety and quality.