Singapore, Hong Kong Clarify No Ban on Indian Spices

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of Commerce provided clarification regarding recent concerns about Indian spices being banned by Singapore and Hong Kong. Contrary to earlier reports, neither country has imposed a ban on Indian spices. The confusion arose because specific batches of spice mixtures exported from India were recalled by the food safety authorities of these nations due to contamination concerns.

In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel detailed the actions taken by the Spices Board to address the issue of ethylene oxide (EtO), a pesticide that has raised health concerns. The board has introduced mandatory pre-shipment testing for spices destined for these markets and issued comprehensive guidelines to exporters. These guidelines cover all stages of the supply chain, including raw material procurement, packing, storage, and transportation, to prevent EtO contamination.

The clarification followed the Singapore Food Safety Authority's temporary hold on a product for further inspection. Earlier, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong detected ethylene oxide in spice packs from brands MDH and Everest. The CFS directed vendors to cease sales and remove these products from their shelves.

Similarly, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) recalled 'Everest' fish curry masala due to excessive levels of ethylene oxide, which is not authorized for food use beyond permissible limits. Consumers were advised to refrain from using the product.

In response to these alerts, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has conducted nationwide sampling of spices from various brands, including MDH and Everest. The FSSAI is committed to ensuring safe food products across the country through regular surveillance, monitoring, inspections, and random sampling of food products. Additionally, the FSSAI has instructed states and Union Territories to use 'Food Safety on Wheels' units for rapid testing of dairy products and has conducted nationwide spice surveillance in 2022.

The measures are part of ongoing efforts to adhere to the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act of 2006 and related regulations, ensuring that consumers have access to safe and compliant food products.