After Hong Kong and Singapore, Maldives has also banned the sale of Everest and MDH spices. Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) said that ethylene oxide has been found in two brands of spices manufactured in India. News agency Adhadhu has given this information. According to the report, the Maldives government was still evaluating the risks posed by these spices. MFDA said that spices of these brands are imported and used in large quantities in Maldives. Ban on sale in Hong Kong and Singapore Earlier this month, the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore banned Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambar Masala Mix and MDH Curry Powder after alleging that MDH and Everest Masalas contained ‘pesticide’ chemicals. The sale of mixed spices was banned. Agencies are investigating in India and America too. After the reports, the Indian government has also started investigating their products. At the same time, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also investigating the company’s spices. “The FDA is aware of these reports and is gathering additional information about the situation,” an FDA spokesperson told Reuters. MDH rejected the allegations, said – Products are safe. However, on Saturday, MDH rejected the allegations of ‘pesticides’ in its products, saying that these claims are false and baseless and there is no concrete evidence for them. MDH said, ‘The allegations that our products contain ethylene oxide are not true. Apart from this, the company has not received any message from the regulatory authorities of Singapore or Hong Kong. Ethylene oxide is a pesticide, it poses a risk of cancer. According to the Spice Board, ethylene oxide forms a flammable and colorless gas at temperatures above 10.7 Celsius. It works as a disinfectant, sterilizing agent and insecticide. It is used to sterilize medical equipment and reduce microbial contamination in spices. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ethylene oxide as a ‘Group 1 carcinogen’. That means there is enough evidence to conclude that it can cause cancer in humans. Ethylene oxide can cause cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. Stomach and breast cancer can also occur. India exported spices worth Rs 32,000 crore in FY2023. In FY 2022-23, India exported spices worth about Rs 32,000 crore. Chilli, cumin, turmeric, curry powder and cardamom are the major spices exported. Also read this news… MDH rejected the claims of ‘pesticides’ in spices: Said- Our products are completely safe, follow domestic and global standards. Indian spice brand MDH rejected the allegations of ‘pesticides’ in its products. Has been rejected. The company told news agency PTI on Saturday that these claims are false and baseless and there is no concrete evidence for them. Click here to read the full news…
