The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a comprehensive testing of spices from all brands across India. This move comes after the suspension of sales of some spice mixes from MDH and Everest by Singapore and Hong Kong. In addition to spice testing, the FSSAI also plans to launch quality checks on other food items like fortified rice, dairy products, and spices sold in the domestic market.
FSSAI Orders Comprehensive Testing Of Spices From All Brands
The FSSAI has ordered a comprehensive testing of spices of all Indian brands. They have directed its officials in each state to carry out thorough inspections, sampling, and testing across all spice manufacturing facilities. There is a special emphasis on testing curry powders and mixed spice blends, according to reports. Additionally, India’s Spices Board has mandated ETO testing – to check for Ethylene oxide residue – for all spices exported to Hong Kong and Singapore. This testing will come into effect from May 6.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong and Singapore suspended sales of certain spice mixes from big Indian brands like MDH and Everest. This suspension was due to the alleged high levels of a pesticide called ethylene oxide (ETO) in some spice mixes by these brands. According to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), these pesticides are unsuitable for human consumption and are also associated with long-term cancer risks.
Plans To Launch Surveillance On More Food Items Like Dairy Products
Besides species, FSSAI also plans to launch surveillance on other food items like fortified rice, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, salmonella in fish products, and some culinary herbs. This is in addition to the already on-going process of collecting pan-India samples of Nestle’s Cerelac baby cereals. After a global report claimed Nestle has been adding high sugar content to the product, many countries are now actively monitoring and checking the company’s products, including India.
In the past few years, FSSAI has increased food surveillance on various food products. According to data, the number of food samples analysed in 2020-21 went from 1,07,829 to more than 4,51,000 in 2023-24. This is almost 3 times the food samples analysed since 2020-21.
What’s your take on this entire row about the alleged norm violations by the spice companies and this move by FSSAI? Let us know in the comments.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & FSSAI
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