MDH rejects reports of pesticide presence in its products; says it did not receive any official communication

There were reports that four products from MDH and Everest contain cancer-causing ingredients as identified by Hong Kong’s food safety regulator.

Hong Kong and Singapore had also banned the sale of certain spices of Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns.

However, MDH said it did not receive any communications from Hong Kong or Singapore food safety regulators.

“Additionally, we would like to assert that MDH has not received any communication from regulatory authorities of Singapore or Hong Kong,” the release said.

Also Read: Hong Kong food regulators find cancer-causing ingredients in MDH, Everest products

Spices under scanner

Earlier this month, South First published a report after Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety (CFS) and Singapore Food Agency said samples of four kinds of pre-packaged spice-mix products of MDH and Everest were found to contain the pesticide ethylene oxide.

The CFS asked consumers not to buy and traders not to sell MDH’s Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.

Interestingly, Everest Food Products had recently acknowledged and said only one of their products was held for examination.

“Only one out of 60 Everest products has been held for examination. This is a standard procedure and not a ban,” the company spokesperson said in a statement.

“We reassure our customers that our products are safe and of high quality, so there is no need for concern,” the company spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) reportedly started taking samples of powdered spices of all brands, including MDH and Everest from across the country in view of quality concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong.

Also Read: FSSAI checks spice quality in India after Hong Kong flagged products with carcinogen

MDH refute allegation

The company further clarified that its products are 100 percent safe and rejected the allegation of the presence of ETO.

The company stated that the Spice Board of India nor FSSAI have been contacted by authorities in Singapore or Hong Kong about this issue.

“This reinforces the fact that the allegations against MDH are baseless, unsubstantiated, and not backed by any concrete evidence,” MDH asserted in a statement.

The company reassured its customers of the safety and quality of its spices, emphasising that ETO is not used at any stage of storage, processing, or packaging.

MDH also confirmed its compliance with health and safety standards in India and internationally.

“MDH tagline, ‘Asli Masale Sach Sach, MDH MDH’ and ‘Real Spices of India’ reflect our genuine commitment to providing authentic, high-quality spices to customers,” the company said.

(With PTI inputs)

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)