The government on Wednesday said that it will implement mandatory testing for ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination in its spice exports to Singapore and Hong Kong.
Ethylene oxide (ETO) is categorized as a carcinogenic pesticide.
The decision comes after Singapore and Hong Kong imposed bans on specific spices exported by Indian brands MDH and Everest, alleging the presence of ethylene oxide (ETO). The government further stated that spice shipments to other nations will also undergo rigorous scrutiny for ETO presence.
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According to officials, the decision was made following meetings between the commerce and industry ministry, the Spices Board, and industry stakeholders.
Currently, spice exports to these nations require compulsory testing for Aflatoxin, a carcinogen, and Sudan I-IV, a dye. However, for consignments bound for the EU and the UK, mandatory ETO testing is in place. An official stated, “We have established protocols for obligatory ETO testing in spice shipments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong. Before implementing these mandatory standards, we engaged with the industry and sought the views of exporters.”
The action was initiated following Singapore’s allegation of the presence of ethylene oxide (ETO) exceeding permissible limits in Everest’s Fish Curry Masala, while Hong Kong claimed to have detected the pesticide in three MDH products—Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala—alongside Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.
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