Potential Ban on MDH, Everest Spices in Australia? Regulator Investigates Alleged Contamination

Australia’s food safety authority is currently investigating claims of contamination linked to spices from Indian companies MDH and Everest. The regulator will determine if a food recall is necessary. This makes Australia the latest regulator to increase scrutiny after Hong Kong suspended sales of three MDH spice blends and an Everest mix for fish curry earlier this month.

Singapore also issued a recall of the Everest mix after agencies identified high levels of ethylene oxide in the product, stating that it was unfit for human consumption and posed a cancer risk upon prolonged exposure.

Earlier, Hong Kong stated, “The CFS collected the aforementioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results revealed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the concerned vendors of the irregularities and instructed them to cease sales and remove the affected products from the shelves.”

Food Standards Australia New Zealand, as reported by news agency Reuters, stated, “We are collaborating with international counterparts to understand the issue and with federal, state, and territory food enforcement agencies to determine if further action is required in Australia.”