Safety worries arise over Indian spices like MDH and Everest, now under international scrutiny due to harmful residues.
Soutik Biswas reports for BBC.
In short:
- Singapore and Hong Kong recently stopped sales of certain Indian spices over fears of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide.
- The U.S. FDA and the EU are conducting investigations into these brands after detecting the same substance in several shipments.
- Despite the companies' assurances of safety, numerous countries, including the U.S. and EU, have raised quality concerns.
Key quote:
"For Indians, spices are like paints in a paint box. We get different shades from the same spice by doing something to the spice."
— Madhur Jaffrey, Indian actor-turned-food writer
Why this matters:
Spices are integral to Indian cuisine, valued both for their flavors and traditional medicinal properties. However, the detection of potentially hazardous residues—like pesticides and heavy metals—in spices that many around the world rely on daily raises significant health concerns. For families, particularly those with young children, pregnant women, or elderly members, the implications are distressing, as these groups are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of contaminants.
