Australia's food safety agency said on Tuesday it was weighing accusations of contamination about some spice mixes sold by Indian companies MDH and Everest to decide if a food recall was required, becoming the latest regulator to step up scrutiny.
Hong Kong suspended sales this month of three MDH spice blends and an Everest mix for fish curry.
Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest mix as well, flagging high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk on long exposure. "We are working with international counterparts to understand the issue and with federal, state, and territory food enforcement agencies to determine if further action is required in Australia," Food Standards Australia New Zealand told Reuters.
Such action could include a recall, it said in its statement, adding, "Ethylene oxide is not permitted to be used as a treatment for foods sold in Australia." MDH and Everest did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
They have previously said their products are safe for consumption. Their brands, among the most popular in India, are also sold in Europe, Asia, and North America. The US FDA is gathering additional information on the matter, while Indian authorities have recently inspected the plants of MDH and Everest.
MDH said its products are safe for consumption, and the company has not received any communication from regulators and authorities in Hong Kong or Singapore about alleged contamination in its products.
MDH and Everest spices are among the most popular in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia, and North America. Following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is checking the quality standards of the two companies.
India's Spices Board, the government's regulator for spice exports, has sought data on MDH and Everest exports from authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore and was working with the companies to find the "root cause" of the quality issues as inspections started at their plants. MDH said India's FSSAI and Spices Board have not received any communication or test report from authorities in Hong Kong or Singapore.
This reinforces that allegations against MDH are baseless, unsubstantiated, and not backed by any concrete evidence, the statement said. Everest has previously said its spices are safe for consumption.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
