Food safety regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has started collecting samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across the country in the wake of quality concerns raised by Singapore and Hong Kong.
"In view of the current development, FSSAI is taking samples of spices of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from the market to check whether they meet the FSSAI norms," news agency PTI quoted a government source as saying.
"All the food commissioners of the country have been alerted. The process of collecting samples of spices has been started. The order has been given. In three to four days, samples will be collected from all the spice manufacturing units of the country," NDTV quoted a source as saying.
"Strict action will be taken if harmful substances are found in Indian spices. There is a provision for criminal proceedings also," sources added.
FSSAI does not regulate the quality of exported spices, according to sources.
The regulator, which operates under the ministry of health and family welfare, takes samples of spices regularly from the market to check the quality of products sold in the country.
Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is looking into the ban imposed by Hong Kong and Singapore on the sale of four spices-mix products of Indian brands MDH and Everest, which allegedly contain the pesticide 'ethylene oxide' beyond permissible limits.
"We are looking into the matter. We are at it," Spices Board of India Director A B Rema Shree told PTI.
The Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety (CFS) asked consumers not to buy these products and traders not to sell, while the Singapore Food Agency has directed a recall of such spices.
These products are MDH's Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras curry), Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder, and MDH Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder.
