After Singapore, Hong Kong bans MDH, Everest spice products citing pesticide presence

Following in the footsteps of Singapore, Hong Kong has implemented a ban on the sale of popular Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. due to the alleged presence of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.

According to the Centre For Food Safety of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, routine surveillance programs conducted on April 5 revealed the presence of ethylene oxide in three spice mixes from MDH Group - Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder.

In a statement, the CFS stated, "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 sale and remove from shelves the affected products."

Similarly, Everest Group's Fish Curry Masala was also found to contain the pesticide. Ethylene oxide, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, poses significant health risks, including an increased risk of breast cancer.