On April 5th, a report published on the official website of Hong Kong’s food regulatory authority, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), highlighted concerning findings regarding three spice products from India. The report revealed that these products contain cancer-causing chemicals, specifically ethylene oxide, a pesticide.

Food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore jointly released a report in the first week of April, urging the public to refrain from using spice products imported from India due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen commonly found in pesticides. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen, emphasizing its potential to cause cancer.

Hong Kong’s food regulatory authority identified three spice products from MDH—Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras Curry), Sambhar Masala (Mixed Masala Powder), and Curry Powder (Mixed Masala Powder)—along with Everest’s Fish Curry Masala as containing ethylene oxide.

The study was conducted under the CFSs routine food surveillance program, which collected samples from three retail outlets in Hong Kong. In response to the findings, the regulator instructed vendors to cease selling and remove the affected products from shelves. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), violations of pesticide residue regulations carry hefty penalties, with fines of up to $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

The CFS noted that investigations are ongoing, and appropriate action may be taken. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has also ordered a recall of Everests Fish Curry Masala due to ethylene oxide levels exceeding the permissible limit.

(Source:https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/international-agency-finds-cancer-causing-chemicals-in-popular-indian-spice-brands/109474993?utm_source=top_story&utm_medium=latestNews )