FSSAI Cracks Down on 111 Spice Producers, Cancels Manufacturing Licences
FSSAI Cracks Down on 111 Spice Producers, Cancels Manufacturing Licences
The food standards agency had previously issued warnings about ethylene oxide in Indian spices before January 2023. However, FSSAI tested popular brands MDH and Everest and confirmed they were free from the chemical, ensuring their safety and maintaining customer trust.
July 2, 2024
In April, Singapore and Hong Kong banned MDH and Everest due to alleged ethylene oxide contamination. Following this, FSSAI began safety checks and has recently revoked the licences of 111 spice producers, ordering them to stop production immediately.
FSSAI continues testing 4,000 spice samples nationwide, with more licence cancellations possible. So far, 2,200 samples have been tested, and 111 spice producers failed to meet quality standards, leading to licence revocations.
Testing is slow due to limited FSSAI centres. Most cancelled licences belong to small spice makers in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. In May, FSSAI tested 34 samples from MDH and Everest, finding no ethylene oxide.
Tests included checks for moisture, contamination, heavy metals, aflatoxins, and pesticide residues.
The FSSAI tested samples for ethylene oxide (ETO) at accredited labs, with 28 reports showing no presence of the chemical. They had been issuing ETO alerts for Indian spices since before January 2023. Ethylene oxide is a Group 1 carcinogen linked to serious health issues.
This isn’t the first time Indian spice brands faced international scrutiny. In 2023, the US FDA recalled Everest spices for Salmonella. Spices offer numerous health benefits, such as aiding weight management, improving cognitive function, and boosting the immune system.
Commonly adulterated spices include turmeric, chilli powder, black pepper, cinnamon, and coriander powder. To combat adulteration, FSSAI plans to increase permissible pesticide levels tenfold.
