Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety, the regulatory authority overseeing food standards, has detected carcinogenic substances in four spice products originating from Indian brands MDH and Everest Masala.
The investigation by Hong Kong’s food regulator revealed that three MDH products — Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder — along with Everest Masala’s Fish Curry Masala contained ethylene oxide, a Group-1 carcinogen.
This Group-1 carcinogen category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. In other words, there is convincing evidence that the agent causes cancer.
In a statement released on April 5th, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department urged the public to refrain from consuming the affected products. They also instructed retailers to cease selling or using these products immediately if they are in possession of them.
Spices hold significant cultural, historical, and economic importance in India, enriching cuisine with their diverse flavors and aromas. India’s vibrant spice trade, dating back centuries, has positioned it as a global leader in spice production, consumption, and export, contributing significantly to its economy and global cultural influence.
However, the essential role of spices in food preparation also subjects them to rigorous scrutiny by global food regulatory bodies.