Dabur India does not add ethylene oxide (pesticide) to the spices sold in the Indian market. The company said this in its exchange filing. Dabur said that it is mixed in the spices exported as per the prescribed standards. The company’s statement has come at a time when the country’s two biggest spice companies Everest and MDH have been banned from selling their products by the governments of Singapore, Hong Kong and Maldives. Food safety authorities of America and India are investigating. Dabur will do steam sterilization for the export batch. Dabur CEO Mohit Malhotra said, ‘We are within the prescribed limits. So we feel we are safe. The company said that instead of ethylene oxide, steam sterilization will be done for the export batch. A micro lab has also been built for this. The company said that there is no ban on Dabur spices sold from its spice portfolio ‘Badshah Brand’. Ethylene oxide is added to prevent spices from spoiling, but if added in excessive amounts, it can cause cancer. Order for inspection, sampling and testing of manufacturing units of companies Food Safety and Standards Authority of India i.e. FSSAI has now asked officials to keep an eye on companies manufacturing curry powder and mixed spice blends for local and foreign sales. Along with this, orders have also been given to inspect, sample and test the manufacturing units of all masala powder manufacturing companies. Every product taken in the sample will be analyzed for compliance with quality and safety parameters. The presence of ethylene oxide in the products of all companies will also be tested. The agency said that the presence of ethylene oxide in the products of all companies will also be tested. Whose use is banned in India, and appropriate action will be initiated after testing is completed. Carcinogenic pesticides in Everest’s fish curry masala Hong Kong’s Food Safety Department had said that high amounts of ethylene oxide were found in three spice mixes of MDH Group – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder and Curry Powder. This carcinogenic pesticide has also been found in Everest’s fish curry masala. Ethylene oxide is a pesticide, it causes cancer. The Spice Board defines ethylene oxide as a flammable, colorless gas at temperatures above 10.7 Celsius. It works as a disinfectant, sterilizing agent and insecticide. It is used to sterilize medical instruments and reduce microbial contamination in spices. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 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. In the financial year 2022-23, India exported spices worth Rs 32,000 crore. In the financial year 2022-23, India exported spices worth about Rs 32,000 crore. Chilli, cumin, turmeric, curry powder and cardamom are the major spices exported.
