New Delhi:
Indian companies MDH and Everest Spices, which are at the center of a huge controversy over contamination allegations, have been given permission by food regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India). Officials said tests of 28 out of 35 samples taken from the two companies' factories did not detect the presence of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide.
Two spice companies are locked in a dispute in Hong Kong and Singapore after questions were raised about their products.
Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) announced that some prepackaged spice samples were found to contain ethylene oxide.
The CFS has asked consumers not to purchase MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambal Masala Mix Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mix Masala Powder, and asked traders not to sell them.
Following instructions from Hong Kong, the Singapore Food Authority (SFA) also ordered a recall of imported Everest fish curry masala.
On April 22, FSSAI launched a nationwide inspection drive and directed food commissioners to take samples of spices.
Soon after, nine samples from two manufacturing units of Everest Spices and 25 samples from 11 manufacturing units of MDH were taken and tested.
According to officials, 28 out of 34 samples have been reported and ethylene oxide is not present in them.
Ethylene oxide was also not present in 300 samples of other brands of spices. Officials said the spices available in the Indian market have passed the test on other parameters as well.