The food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore recently issued warnings against the use of four products from two Indian spice brands, after finding the presence of ethylene oxide at levels exceeding the permissible limit, Indian media reports on Tuesday.
Ethylene oxide has been classified as a 'Group 1 carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, according to NDTV.
Three spice products of MDH -- Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras Curry), Sambhar Masala (Mixed Masala Powder), and Curry Powder (Mixed Masala Powder) -- along with Everest's Fish Curry Masala, contain 鈥榓 pesticide, ethylene oxide鈥�, stated Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) on April 5, according to the report.
The regulators have instructed vendors 鈥榯o stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products鈥�.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered a recall of Everest's Fish Curry Masala due to the presence of ethylene oxide at levels 鈥榚xceeding the permissible limit鈥�.
The SFA released a statement on its website on April 18, stating that it 鈥榟as directed the importer, Sp Muthiah & Sons Pte. Ltd., to recall the products.
Both MDH and Everest Foods are yet to comment on these claims, NDTV reports.