In a remarkable development that has sparked global worries, nearly 12% of spice samples tested by Indian officials did not match the required quality and safety criteria. This finding comes after thorough inspections, sampling, and testing of mixed spice mixes in response to contamination concerns raised by two of India’s most popular spice brands, MDH and Everest.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted the tests in response to actions taken by many nations, including Hong Kong, which halted sales of some MDH and Everest spice blends in April following the discovery of excessive quantities of a pesticide. Following suit, the United Kingdom tightened controls on all spice imports from India, while New Zealand, the United States, and Australia launched investigations into potential safety risks with certain products.
MDH and Everest, which dominate the Indian spice business and have a significant global presence, claim that their goods are safe to consume. These brands are well-known in India, the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. Their products are widely available in Europe, Asia, and North America.
According to data received through India’s Right to Information Act, 474 of the 4,054 spice samples tested between May and early July did not meet the approved quality and safety standards. The FSSAI has not released a brand-specific breakdown of the failing samples, but has verified that it is taking appropriate action against the companies responsible for the nonconforming products.
“Action on non-conforming samples has been taken as stipulated,” the safety agency wrote, alluding to the punishment measures under Indian law, but no specifics on the steps were provided. The FDA also stated that comprehensive reports on the failed samples were now unavailable.
This development comes at a critical time for India’s spice business, which is highly important in the worldwide market. Industry projections estimate that India’s domestic spice market will be worth $10.44 billion in 2022. In addition, the country achieved a record for spice and spice product exports in the fiscal year ending March 2023, totaling $4.46 billion.
The findings have spurred calls for more monitoring and stricter quality standards in the business to protect public health and maintain India’s status as a top spice exporter. As global attention grows, the outcome of these investigations and the steps taken by Indian authorities will be widely followed by both consumers and stakeholders.
