It has made it mandatory for all spice consignments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong to undergo sampling and testing of their products.
Published May 01, 2024 | 7:05 PM ⚊ Updated May 01, 2024 | 7:18 PM
Indian spices. (Creative Commons)
The Spices Board of India said on Wednesday, 1 May, that it served notices to MDH and Everest emphasising the critical importance of preventing ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination throughout their procurement, processing, and export processes.
Meanwhile, it has also made it mandatory for all spice consignments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong to undergo sampling and testing of their products.
“Starting 7 May, 2024, all spice consignments destined for these countries will undergo mandatory sampling and testing for Ethylene Oxide (ETO) residues,” said the Spices Board in a release.
Speaking to South First, Spices Board Secretary Dr KG Jagadeesha said, “Stringent systems will be operational to test for ethylene oxide residues in spice exports to Singapore and Hong Kong, a press release has already been issued about this,”
Dr Jagadeesha said that a detailed press release on the action taken on the brands in question, specific guidelines and measures taken to prevent such future issues would be issued early next week.
The release from the board stated that this measure aims to uphold the regulatory standards and safeguard consumer health in the importing countries.
The move by the Spices Board is an urgent response to the recent quality concerns and subsequent bans on Indian spice brands in international markets.
The move comes after the food safety authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong identified excessive levels of ETO, a sterilising agent, in products from major Indian spice brands like MDH and Everest.
The findings led to recalls and a ban affecting these brands in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, prompting the Spices Board to act swiftly to prevent further market disruptions and ensure consumer safety abroad.
The products are also under scanner by the Australian food safety authorities.
In a report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 23 April 2024, ETO (RD) is not approved at the European Union (EU) level.
“However, out of 2026 samples where this substance was analysed, in 47 samples, the Maximum Residue Level was exceeded (2.3%). Of those six samples were of Curcuma coming from India, five samples were of chilli peppers from India and Uganda, five samples of peppercorn from India, Vietnam and Lebanon and four samples of dried beans from India,” the report said.
The EFSA also recommended monitoring ETO.
The board announced comprehensive testing protocols and will conduct thorough inspections at exporter facilities to ensure compliance with the strict quality standards demanded by international markets.
Moreover, the board said it is actively working with exporters to ascertain the root cause of the ETO contamination and is offering guidelines to help prevent future incidents.
In addition to the new testing procedures, the Spices Board is committed to enhancing awareness about ETO contamination, it said in the release.
It has issued circulars to all deputy directors of its regional offices across India, instructing them to organise workshops and distribute information in local languages.
“They will organise workshops aimed at capacity building in local languages, providing exporters with essential knowledge and tools to maintain spice integrity and meet international standards at the stages of procurement, processing or exports,” the release stated.
It continued that the exporters have been sent circulars emphasising the critical importance of preventing ETO contamination.
“These initiatives are designed to equip exporters with the necessary knowledge and tools to maintain spice integrity from procurement to processing and final export,” it said.
The board said that this approach aimed to rectify the immediate issues and to uphold the longstanding reputation of Indian spices globally, ensuring that they meet international safety standards and continue to be welcomed in markets worldwide.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
