MDH refutes allegations of carcinogen in spices, calls Hong Kong ban 'baseless'; Here's why

New Delhi: MDH, a leading Indian spice brand, has strongly rejected claims that its products contain a cancer-causing pesticide. The company maintains these allegations are "untrue" and lack any evidence.

Hong Kong spice scare: Ethylene oxide at issue

This comes after Hong Kong and Singapore raised concerns about the presence of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide, in several MDH spice mixes. The Centre For Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong detected the substance during routine testing of MDH's "Madras Curry Powder," "Sambhar Masala Powder," and "Curry Powder" products, along with Everest Group's "Fish Curry Masala."

Following the detection, Hong Kong authorities instructed vendors to halt sales and remove the implicated products from shelves. Singapore's Food Agency (SFA) subsequently implemented a similar recall and ban.

MDH assures consumers of safety and quality

MDH vehemently denied the allegations, emphasizing their commitment to safety and high-quality standards. "We do not use Ethylene Oxide (ETO) at any stage of storing, processing, or packing our spices," the company asserted in a statement. They further highlighted their adherence to both domestic and international health regulations.

MDH's tagline, "Asli Masale Sach Sach, MDH MDH" (Pure Spices, True Truth, MDH MDH) and "Real Spices of India," underscores their dedication to providing authentic and premium spices to their customers.

Indian government seeks clarification

Meanwhile, the Indian government has reached out to the food safety regulators of Hong Kong and Singapore, seeking details about the basis for the bans and planned corrective actions. The Centre is collaborating with concerned exporters to determine the root cause of the issue.