These brands of curry powders contain pesticides that can even cause cancer; Rajasthan govt's report

MUMBAI: Curry powders from the MDH and Everest brands are unsafe for consumption, according to a report from the Rajasthani government. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) received a letter from the Rajasthan government stating that when the state examined samples of several spice mixes, it discovered that two batches of MDH and one batch of Everest spice mix were unsafe for consumption.

In April, Hong Kong had suspended sales of three spice products made by MDH and one by Everest citing the presence of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is a cancer-causing pesticide. The Centre for Food Safety of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on April 5 that routine surveillance programs had uncovered the presence of ethylene oxide in three spices from MDH Group, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder. Everest Group's Fish Curry Masala was also found to contain the same pesticide.

Singapore also ordered a recall of the Everest mix due to exceeding the permissible limit of ethylene oxide. New Zealand, the United States and Australia have said they were looking into the issues. Britain has applied extra controls on all spices entering from India, the world's biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices.