(MENAFN- KNN India)
New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has cancelled the manufacturing licenses of 111 spice producers over the past month, citing quality and safety concerns.
This move comes in the wake of international scrutiny after Singapore and Hong Kong banned popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest in April due to alleged detection of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide.
The FSSAI is currently conducting a nationwide testing campaign, examining 4,000 spice samples from various manufacturers. This extensive review includes products from well-known brands such as Everest, MDH, Catch, and Badshah.
To date, the regulatory body has tested 2,200 samples, with 111 manufacturers failing to meet basic quality standards, resulting in the immediate revocation of their licenses.
The majority of the affected companies are small-scale producers, primarily located in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, the investigation has also extended to manufacturers in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
Despite these widespread concerns, recent tests conducted by the FSSAI in May on 34 samples from MDH and Everest found no traces of ethylene oxide, providing some reassurance for these major brands.
It's worth noting that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) had been issuing early warning alerts regarding the presence of ethylene oxide in Indian spices since before January 2023, indicating that concerns about spice safety have been ongoing for some time.
In response to these challenges, the FSSAI has announced plans to increase permissible pesticide levels by a factor of ten, a move aimed at combating adulteration in the industry.
This regulatory crackdown highlights growing concerns over food safety and adulteration in the spice industry. While major brands like MDH and Everest have been cleared in recent tests, the widespread license cancellations underscore the need for stricter quality control measures across the sector.
The FSSAI's actions aim to restore consumer confidence and ensure the safety of spice products in the Indian market. However, the process is ongoing, and more cancellations may follow as testing continues.
(KNN Bureau)
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