New Delhi: In the month of April, Singapore and Hong Kong stopped selling two popular Indian spice brands, MDH and Everest because they found a harmful pesticide called ethylene oxide in some of their products. After this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) began collecting samples of spices from various cities to check if they were safe. Recently, they have cancelled the licenses of 111 spice makers in the last month and told them to stop making spices right away.What report says According to media reports, the process is ongoing, and more cancellations might happen as FSSAI keeps testing 4,000 samples across the country. These samples include products from famous brands like Everest, MDH, Catch, and Badshah among others.Media report also suggests, the regulatory body has tested 2,200 samples. Out of these, 111 spice makers did not meet the basic quality standards for their products. Their licenses have been cancelled immediately and production has been halted.Its also noted that the FSSAI has fewer testing centers, which has slowed down the process of identifying companies whose licenses should be cancelled.Officials say that most of the cancelled licenses belong to small spice makers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Companies in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are also being scrutinized. Many of these 111 companies are small-scale and cannot be contacted because they do not have official websites, contact numbers, or email addresses.FSSAI testings and findingsIn May, as part of the same process, FSSAI tested samples from MDH and Everest and did not find ethylene oxide (ETO). They tested a total of 34 samples: 9 from Everests facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and 25 from MDHs facilities in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan.Report also suggests that, the tests also checked for other factors such as moisture content, insect and rodent contamination, heavy metals, aflatoxins, and pesticide residues.The samples were checked for ethylene oxide at accredited laboratories by NABI. So far, FSSAI has received approximately 28 lab reports, all confirming the absence of this chemical.It also states that, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) had been issuing early warning alerts for ethylene oxide in different spices from India even before January 2023.For those who may not know, Ethylene oxide is labeled as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This classification means it can cause serious health problems, including an increased risk of breast cancer.Report also states that, this isnt the first instance of an Indian spice brand facing action overseas. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled Everest Food Products due to positive tests for Salmonella.Spice with health benefitsFor those who may not know, spices are packed with nutrients and can help combat various health issues. Some spices, like red chilli pepper and black pepper, contain substances that might boost metabolism and increase calorie burning, which could aid in managing weight and losing fat.Turmerics active ingredient, curcumin, has been researched for its potential to protect the brain. It could potentially enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and lower the risk of diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Additionally, spices such as garlic and cayenne pepper are linked to heart health benefits. Certain spices, like saffron, have been studied for their ability to improve mood.Eating spices that are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds might help improve mental health by reducing inflammation and stress in the brain. Many spices also have properties that fight microbes, viruses, and help regulate the immune system, which can strengthen it and guard against infections.Non-licenced spices and their riskSome of the most common spices that often get mixed with other substances include turmeric, chilli powder, black pepper, cinnamon, and coriander powder. Adulterants such as starch, sawdust, artificial colors, and chemical dyes are commonly added to these spices to increase their quantity and reduce production costs. This compromises the quality and safety of the spices.Spices like cumin seeds contain antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These antioxidants help counteract harmful free radicals in the body, lowering the risk of chronic diseases and inflammation. Curcumin, found in turmeric, has properties that protect the brain and may help prevent age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimers disease, and other neurological disorders.Due to the growing issue of adulteration, the FSSAI has announced plans to increase the allowable levels of pesticides by ten times. This measure aims to reduce adulteration to some extent.
