News Excerpt:

Hong Kong and Singapore have banned the sale of Indian spice brands MDH and Everest after authorities detected the presence of ethylene oxide in several spice mixes. Meanwhile, the US rejected 31% of Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) Pvt Ltd's exports since Oct 2023 due to salmonella contamination.

More about the news:

• The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong announced that it has detected ethylene oxide in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – and Everest's Fish Curry Masala. 
• Samples were  under routine food surveillance and ethylene oxide, which is unsuitable for human consumption, was found in multiple samples. 
  • Hong Kong regulations prohibit the sale of food containing pesticide residues exceeding safe limits.
  • Following Hong Kong's lead, Singapore's Food Agency (SFA) also recalled Everest's Fish Curry Masala due to exceeding permissible levels of ethylene oxide.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is gathering information on MDH and Everest product. This is not the first time Everest has come under heat from a foreign food regulator.
  • In 2023, US Food & Drug Administration recalled Everest Sambhar Masala and Garam Masala as samples tested positive for Salmonella. It advised consumers not to consume the products and destroy them.
• The Spices Board, India's industry regulator, started inspecting the facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after reports of cancer-causing pesticides in certain products surfaced.
  • The board said that it had sought data on MDH and Everest exports from relevant authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore and was working with the companies to find the "root cause" of the issue.
• Food safety regulator FSSAI has also started taking samples of spices in powder form of all brands in view of quality concerns flagged by Singapore and Hong Kong.
  

What is salmonella?

• Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is an infection with Salmonella bacteria that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach pain. Salmonella usually goes away on its own in a few days. It’s the most common form of bacterial food poisoning in the U.S.
• When one gets salmonella, it means enough bacteria have gotten past their stomach acid and immune system to make them sick. Salmonella bacteria invade and destroy the cells that line the intestines. This makes it hard for the body to absorb water, which can give stomach cramps. The water leaves the body in the form of diarrhoea.

Ethylene Oxide:

• Ethylene oxide is a cancer-causing agent that can raise the risk of breast cancer, as well as cause damage to the DNA, the brain, and the nervous system in humans.
• It is a flammable colourless gas at room temperature which  is used primarily to produce other chemicals.
• Ethylene oxide is frequently reported to be associated with lymphoma and leukaemia.
• Ethylene oxide is also used as a disinfectant, fumigant, sterilising agent and pesticide.
• The ability of ethylene oxide to damage DNA makes it an effective sterilising agent but also accounts for its cancer-causing activity. 
• It is majorly used to sterilise medical equipment and to reduce microbial contamination in spices.
• The primary routes of human exposure to ethylene oxide are inhalation and ingestion, which may occur through occupational, consumer, or environmental exposure.