MDH, Everest masala now under Australia food safety agency’s scanner

The agency noted that a recall might be considered and emphasised that using ethylene oxide to treat food is restricted in Australia.

So far, Singapore, Hong Kong and Maldives have recalled the products of Everest and MDH due to the presence of ethylene oxide — a cancer-causing chemical.

Also Read: US customs rejects one-third of MDH exports over Salmonella concerns

Earlier developments

It should be noted that it was South First who broke the news about Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) halting sales of MDH’s three spice blends – Madras Curry Powder, MDH Sambar Masala powder and MDH curry powder.

Also, the Singapore Food Agency directed a recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala after finding the presence of ethylene oxide in those products.

Earlier, Hong Kong said, “The CFS collected the samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. 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 the sale and remove from shelves the affected products,”

Meanwhile, there have been media reports about an increased rejection of the exports of MDH products by the US customs over Salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is gathering more information on the matter.

Last week, MDH dismissed the allegations, saying they do not use ethylene oxide and adhere to stringent health and safety standards in India and internationally.

They also claimed they did not receive any communication from the food safety regulators of any country and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

“Food safety authorities have not approached us in either Hong Kong or Singapore about these findings. We do not use ethylene oxide at any stage of our spice production. Our products adhere to stringent health and safety standards in India and internationally,” the company had said.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)