Hong Kong, Singapore Ban Everest, MDH Spices Over Cancer-Causing Chemical

Hong Kong’s food safety authority has banned the sale of four spice products from popular Indian brands MDH and Everest after discovering the presence of a cancer-causing chemical.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) revealed on April 5 that ethylene oxide, a pesticide known to be carcinogenic, was detected in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – as well as Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.

The CFS, as part of its routine food surveillance program, collected samples of these products and found ethylene oxide, which is deemed unfit for human consumption under Hong Kong regulations. These regulations restrict the sale of food with pesticide residues exceeding safe limits.

Under the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), food with pesticide residue can only be sold if it does not pose a health risk. The CFS has instructed vendors to remove these products from shelves and initiated an investigation, indicating that further action may follow.

In response to Hong Kong’s actions, Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) has also recalled Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to elevated levels of ethylene oxide. Although SFA mentioned that there is no immediate risk from low levels of ethylene oxide, prolonged consumption could lead to health hazards due to its carcinogenic nature.

As of now, MDH and Everest have not publicly commented on the reports of carcinogens found in their products.