Nearly 12 percent of spice samples tested by Indian authorities failed to meet quality and safety standards. The testing followed actions by several countries in response to contamination concerns in two popular spice brands.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) carried out inspections, sampling, and testing of mixed spice blends after Hong Kong suspended sales of certain MDH and Everest brand blends in April due to high pesticide levels.
In response, Britain increased controls on all spice imports from India, while New Zealand, the United States, and Australia announced they were investigating issues related to the affected brands.
MDH and Everest have asserted that their products are safe for consumption.
These brands are among the most popular in India, which is the world’s largest exporter, producer, and consumer of spices. Their products are sold in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Media reports revealed that out of 4,054 samples tested between May and early July, 474 did not meet quality and safety standards.
The FSSAI stated it did not have brand-specific breakdowns of the tested spices but assured that necessary actions were being taken against the companies involved.
“Action on non-conforming samples has been taken as stipulated,” the agency said, referring to penalties under Indian law, without providing further details.
Reuters requested detailed reports on the samples that failed the tests, but the agency indicated that such reports were unavailable.
India’s domestic spice market was valued at $10.44 billion in 2022, according to Zion Market Research.
The country’s spice and spice product exports reached a record $4.46 billion in the fiscal year ending in March.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
