Spices Export

MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption. Their spices are among the most popular in India - the world's biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices

Indian spices have not been banned by countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the Ministry of Commerce informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Specific batches of a few spice mixtures exported from India were recalled by the food safety authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore due to the presence of ethylene oxide (EtO) above permissible limits, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said in a written reply. As part of its import surveillance, the Singapore Food Agency placed the consignments of spices from the associated brands under Hold-and-Test regime for a period of one month. The Spices Board, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has taken various steps to meet the varying EtO limits of the importing country. They include mandatory pre-shipment testing of spices being exported to these destinations and issuance of comprehensive guidelines to be followed by exporters to prevent possible EtO contamination at all stages such as procurement of raw

India imports food from over 100 countries, regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, ensuring uniform standards for both domestic and imported products

India has supported strengthening quality standards for various spices, including small cardamom, vanilla and turmeric, at a global meet of the Codex Alimentarius Commission being held in Rome, the government said on Wednesday. According to an official statement, India, as a member elected on a geographic basis (Asia), is participating in the 86th session of the Executive Committee (CCEXEC) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), represented India in the session being held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome from July 1-5. The CAC, an international body established by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade. The executive committee plays a critical role in reviewing proposals for new work and monitoring the progress of standards development. "During the session, India strongly suppor

There are many regulators in the sector, but none regulates the entire supply chain from farm to market

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As many as 28 samples have been cleared by the scientific panel at FSSAI, with no traces of ETO in them, said sources

India has come out with detailed guidelines to prevent EtO (ethylene oxide - a carcinogenic chemical) contamination in spices for exports, an official said on Monday. The government has put in place other preventive measures like mandatory testing of spices being exported to Singapore and Hong Kong, the official added. The steps assume significance amid reports on the recall of two Indian spice brands' -- MDH and Everest -- products in Singapore and Hong Kong due to the presence of EtO residue in certain spices. "Mandatory pre-shipment sampling and testing for EtO for Singapore and Hong Kong has been started; and guidelines have been put in place for all exporters to avoid possible contamination of EtO covering all stages (sourcing, packaging, transportation, testing) of supply chain, for all jurisdictions," the official said. The official added that periodic sampling is also being done from exporters by the Spices Board based on which corrective measures are enforced. Explaining

The Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) on Friday said India's spice export may decline nearly 40 per cent in FY25 if the issue of ethylene oxide or EtO contamination in spices meant for exports is not addressed at the earliest. The statement came against the backdrop of Hong Kong and Singapore banning the sale of popular brands MDH and Everest after detecting carcinogenic chemical ethylene oxide in their products, leading to a mandatory recall from shelves. In 2023-24, India's spice exports totalled USD 4.25 billion, accounting for 12 per cent share of global spice exports. "Lot of exporters have orders on their hands and they have been halted to an extent after that episode. As per our estimate, spice exports could be affected by 40 per cent of the volume this year if the issue is not resolved quickly," said Tejas Gandhi, Secretary of FISS, an association of nearly 600 spice traders, exporters and farmers from across the country. Addressing a press conference on the .

Last year, India exported spices to the tune of 1.426 million tonnes valued at approximately $4.2 billion, AISEF said

The development comes after sales ban on Everest and MDH

Hong Kong suspended sales last month of three spice blends made by MDH and one by another Indian company, Everest, for apparently containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide

The Spices Board has come out with comprehensive guidelines for exporters to prevent ethylene oxide (EtO) -- a carcinogenic chemical -- contamination in the products shipped from India amid quality concerns being flagged by certain countries on these goods. According to the guidelines, exporters would avoid the use of EtO in spices as a sterilising/fumigating agent or any other application; and ensure that transporters, storage/warehouses, packaging material suppliers do not use this chemical at any stage. Exporters shall take adequate measures to ensure the absence of EtO and its metabolites in spices and spice products throughout the supply chain, it said. They would also identify this chemical as a hazard and incorporate critical control points to prevent EtO in their Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points and Food Safety Plan in their Food Safety Management System. "Exporters shall test raw materials, processing aids, packaging materials and finished goods for EtO contaminatio

The decision was taken following the suspension of sales of certain spice blends from two leading brands, MDH and Everest, by Singapore and Hong Kong

Amid controversy over Indian spice exports, the Centre mandates state governments to conduct quality tests

India needs to address the quality issues with urgency, the think tank said

The govt is launching an initiative to ensure India's exports meet importing countries' tolerance limits

Earlier, some MDH and Everest spice mixes were recalled in Singapore, while Hong Kong suspended their sales over high levels of ethylene oxide

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Hong Kong this month suspended sales of three MDH spice blends and an Everest spice mix for fish curries. Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix as well