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Food brand Everest, a household name in India, has said its fish curry spice mix is safe for use after concerns about a cancer-causing chemical.
Indian manufacturer Everest Food Products on Tuesday said its spices are safe for consumption after Singapore and Hong Kong flagged high levels of an allegedly cancer-causing pesticide in a product.
Also read: Ban on MDH, Everest masala: India seeks details from Singapore, Hong Kong food regulators
Singapore earlier this month advised people not to use spice mix for fish curry. This comes as Hong Kong also suspended the sale of Everest spice mix for fish curry along with three other products from a similarly popular Indian brand called MDH.
Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong said the products allegedly contained high levels of ethylene oxide, a pesticide that can cause cancer.
Singapore’s food agency said on April 18 about Everest’s fish curry spice mix, “Consumers who have purchased the underlying product are advised not to consume it.” Consumers are urged to seek medical advice if they are concerned.
Everest says spices are safe
Everest said in a statement on Tuesday that the specific item under test was safe to consume, according to Reuters news agency, citing a statement from the company’s director.
“Exports are approved only after obtaining necessary clearances and approvals from the laboratories of the Spice Board of India,” said Rajeev Shah, director, Everest Food Products.
He said that out of 60 products, only one item was put to the test and it was safe to use and there was no need for concern.
MDH has not yet responded to the allegations. India’s spice export regulator, the Spices Board of India, on Tuesday asked Everest and MDH to provide details of quality checks, according to Reuters.
India’s top food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also asked all states to collect samples of powdered spices and conduct random testing, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
According to the newspaper, the regulator expects a consolidated report on the matter in the next 25 days.
MDH and Everest are household names in Indian kitchens as the primary choice of spices in dishes at home or in restaurants. The companies also export to the US, Europe, Middle East and UK.
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