India, celebrated as the world's foremost center for spice cultivation, utilization, and global trade, has commenced discussions with food safety authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong regarding their recent prohibition of specific spice items from Indian brands MDH and Everest due to quality concerns.
The Ministry of Commerce has taken proactive steps by directing Indian embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong to compile comprehensive reports on the matter. Additionally, the ministry has reached out to the respective Indian companies, MDH and Everest, urging them to furnish detailed information regarding the alleged presence of the pesticide 'ethylene oxide' exceeding permissible limits in their products.
An official from the commerce ministry stressed the significance of uncovering the underlying reasons for the rejection and implementing necessary corrective measures in collaboration with the concerned exporters. Technical specifications, analytical assessments, and exporter details related to the rejected shipments have been requested from the embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Moreover, the ministry has initiated dialogue with the Singapore Food Agency and the Centre for Food Safety, as well as the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong, to gather relevant information. An upcoming industry consultation aims to address the issue of mandatory ethylene oxide testing for spice shipments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is actively investigating the bans imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore on four spice-mix products from Indian brands MDH and Everest. While the food safety regulator in Hong Kong has cautioned against purchasing these products, the Singapore Food Agency has initiated a recall process.
Despite facing these regulatory hurdles, India maintains its position as a significant participant in the global spice trade, having exported spices worth nearly Rs 32,000 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23. Key exports encompass chilli, cumin, spice oil and oleoresins, turmeric, curry powder, and cardamom.
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