Hong Kong and Singapore Raise Concerns Over Carcinogen Found in Popular Indian Spices

New Delhi: Food safety regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore have issued public warnings regarding certain spice products imported from India, citing the presence of a cancer-causing chemical. The alerts, issued in early April, advise consumers to avoid specific products from renowned Indian brands MDH and Everest due to contamination with ethylene oxide.

Ethylene oxide, commonly used in pesticides, has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, indicating it is known to cause cancer in humans.

Hong Kong’s food regulatory body, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), identified the chemical in three spice mixes from MDH: Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras Curry), Sambhar Masala (Mixed Masala Powder), and Curry Powder (Mixed Masala Powder). Additionally, Everest’s Fish Curry Masala was flagged for containing the substance.

The discovery was made as part of the CFS’s routine food surveillance program, which involved collecting samples from three different retail outlets within Hong Kong. Following the findings, the CFS directed vendors to halt sales and remove the affected products from their inventory. Violations of Hong Kong’s Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation can lead to significant penalties, including fines of up to $50,000 and a potential six-month prison sentence upon conviction.

Echoing these concerns, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has also taken action, ordering a recall of Everest’s Fish Curry Masala. The SFA stated that the levels of ethylene oxide detected in this product exceeded the permissible limit allowed in Singapore.

Hong Kong authorities noted that their investigations are ongoing, and further appropriate actions may follow based on their findings.

Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding reports from food regulatory agencies in Hong Kong and Singapore. Consumers are advised to follow guidance from their local food safety authorities. This article summarizes the reported findings and actions taken by these international agencies.