look news india
New Delhi: Food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday said presence of ethylene oxide (ETO) was not found in 28 samples of spices from two leading brands MDH and Everest tested in accredited laboratories.
Reports of six others related to spices are yet to come. Recently, after Hong Kong and Singapore raised questions and banned these popular spice brands over the allegation of ethylene oxide in these spices, FSSAI has started sampling spices of all brands including MDH and Everest from across the country
FSSAI said nine samples were taken from two manufacturing units of Everest Spices, while 25 samples were taken from 11 manufacturing units of MDH. Out of the total 34 samples taken, reports of 28 have come. Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) had asked consumers not to buy some MDH and Everest spices, citing the presence of ethylene oxide in excess of permissible limits.
These spices were banned
These spices include MDH's Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambar Masala Mixed Spice Powder, MDH Curry Powder Mixed Spice Powder etc. According to sources, a nationwide sampling drive was launched on April 22 through food safety commissioners of all states and union territories and regional directors of FSSAI.
The laboratory reports received so far were examined by the scientific panel of FSSAI and it was found that the presence of ethylene oxide was not found in the samples. Let us tell you here that apart from Hong Kong and Singapore, some other countries including Nepal have also stopped using Indian spices.
