The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating products from two Indian spice makers, MDH and Everest, over allegations of containing a cancer-causing pesticide. This investigation follows Hong Kong's suspension of sales of certain spice mixes from MDH and Everest earlier this month due to reported high levels of ethylene oxide, a chemical considered carcinogenic by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Both MDH and Everest are renowned for their spice products, which are popular in India and worldwide. While Everest has previously stated that its products are safe for consumption, MDH has not commented on the issue.
Singapore has also recalled Everest's fish curry mix due to concerns over elevated levels of ethylene oxide posing a cancer risk.
In response to the situation, India's Spices Board, the government's regulator for spice exports, has initiated inspections at the plants of MDH and Everest to investigate the quality issues and determine the root cause. Both companies' websites were offline at the time of reporting.
Ethylene oxide is used in various industries, including as a fumigating agent for spices. The EPA has classified it as carcinogenic to humans, citing evidence linking exposure to ethylene oxide with an increased risk of lymphoid cancer and breast cancer in females.
The BBC reached out to MDH and Everest for comment on the matter. This investigation echoes a recall of MDH products in the US in 2019 due to concerns about salmonella contamination.
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