Authorities inspect Everest & MDH units after ban on spices by Singapore & Hong Kong

New Delhi: Indian authorities have reached out to top spice brands Everest and MDH (facing bans in Singapore and Hong Kong over the presence of ethylene oxide), conducted inspections of their manufacturing units and suggested corrective measures, said officials aware of the matter. "We have also conducted three consultations with the industry," a senior official said, highlighting that "the industry has taken the matter very seriously and is ensuring they are fully compliant with the maximum residue limit." The official pointed out that upon testing, some export samples violated norms in the two countries, based on which corrective measures were suggested.

"We are ensuring that supply chain issues are resolved so that those products can be traced to countries and country-specific norms are complied with," the official said, noting the inspections covered aspects of how spices are produced, stored, transported and tested. Spices Board of India, the nodal agency for spices exports, said earlier this month it has made testing for ETO mandatory for all spices being exported to Hong Kong and Singapore. The ministry had imposed mandatory testing of ETO in spices headed to European markets in 2022. The board had also issued comprehensive guidelines to address the issue including alternate methods of sterilisation like steam sterilisation and irradiation.

The guidelines also specify norms for packaging, transportation, sample handling and testing. Violation of ETO norms by Everest and MDH in Singapore and Hong Kong led to a recall and ban of specific batches of products from these markets.


Hong Kong does not allow ETO in its food products, but Singapore has a limit of 50 parts per million. EU has a limit of 0.02 to 0.1 mg per kg. The American Spice Trade Association had noted that ETO is permitted for use in spices. US norms allow 7 ppm of ETO and 940 ppm of 2-chloroethanol (2-CE). "There is no standardisation of ethylene oxide limits or testing norms across the world," another official said.