Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on May 21 cleared samples of spice makers from across the country after extensive testing found no traces of ethylene oxide (ETO), a cancer-causing substance, according to news agency ANI.
The tests were conducted after the Hong Kong Food Authority had raised concerns recently, following which certain spice products from M/s Mahashian Di Hatti Pvt Ltd (MDH) and M/s Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd (Everest) were recalled for excessive ETO levels.
Soon after the complaints, the Indian food regulator announced a nationwide inspection, which saw 34 samples of MDH and Everest spices collected for tests, the report said. Out of the 34 samples, 28 lab reports, examined by FSSAI’s expert panel, showed no presence of ETO. The remaining 6 report are still pending, according to the report.
FSSAI had collected 9 samples from Everest’s plants in Maharashtra and Gujarat, while 25 samples taken from MDH’s facilities in Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan were analysed.
Also read: FSSAI asks fruit traders, food biz not to use banned product 'calcium carbide' for fruit ripening
Moreover, the food regulator had also picked up 300 spice samples of different brands across the country for testing by the scientific panel, which "conclusively found no presence of ETO".
The testing process covered a range of quality and safety parameters, including moisture content, insect and rodent contamination, heavy metals, aflatoxins, pesticide residues, and various microbiological contaminants. Most importantly, these samples were also tested for ethylene oxide at NABL-accredited laboratories notified by the FSSAI, according to the report.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
