Everest Spices Under Scanner For Enterobacteriaceae; How Is This Bacteria Harmful?

Be it curries, biryanis or even the most basic sabzi, many Indians have grown up seeing their moms use Everest Spices in these dishes. The brand is known for its high-quality spices and unmatched taste. But unfortunately, Everest Spices has recently come under the scanner for failing laboratory tests. The report claims that some products contained higher-than-allowed levels of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Here is everything you need to know about this bacteria and why it can be harmful.

Everest Spices Under Scanner For Failing Lab Tests

Just recently, daily brands like Amul, Mother Dairy and Country Delight found themselves under the scanner for having coliform bacteria. And now Everest Spices, a brand known for its spice blends, is also under scrutiny. According to a report by News18, a YouTube channel named ‘Trustified’ recently uploaded a video claiming that several Everest Spices products failed quality checks.

The products tested included Everest Garam Masala, Everest Kitchen King Masala, Everest Kashmiri Lal Chilli Powder and Everest Meat Masala. These products were reportedly sent for testing to check whether they met the safety limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The lab report allegedly highlighted that these spices contained pesticides and also showed signs of bacterial contamination. Some substances were reportedly found in quantities higher than the safety limits set by FSSAI. Since the brand is used in countless Indian kitchens, the report quickly gained attention on social media and sparked discussions about food safety.

Also Read: Amul & Country Delight Milk Under Scanner For Coliform; Why Is This Bacteria Harmful?

What Is Enterobacteriaceae Family Of Bacteria?

According to News18, the sample of Everest Garam Masala reportedly contained two pesticides above the permitted limits. These pesticides were Acetamiprid and Azoxystrobin. Additionally, the sample also showed high levels of bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family.

Everest Kitchen King Masala was also reportedly found to contain the same bacteria along with three pesticides exceeding safety standards. This raises an important question: What is the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria, and how can it affect our health? Some well-known bacteria from this family include E. coli and Salmonella enterica. Both bacteria are linked to food contamination.

How Is This Bacteria Harmful?

Consuming food contaminated with these bacteria can upset the stomach and cause infections. People may experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and even food poisoning. In some cases, long-term consumption of contaminated food can also weaken the immune system.

But how did a brand like Everest Spices find itself in such a controversy? Reportedly, the contamination could be linked to hygiene issues during processing. It is possible that raw ingredients were not cleaned or dried properly, which may have resulted in bacterial contamination.

Also Read: Not 1 But 4 Indian Curries Make It To TasteAtlas’s 10 Best Rated Curries In The World

What do you think of this news? Do you use Everest spices in your kitchen?

Cover Image Courtesy: Everest Spices/ Website and Canva Pro/ Yes (Representative Image)