Spice Adulteration Alert: Top Brands' Masala Mixes In Rajasthan Found Poisoned With Insecticides

In Alleged detection of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spices, prominent Indian spice brands MDH Pvt and Everest Food Products Pvt have been banned from sale in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Nepal. Similarly, in Rajasthan, brands such as MDH, Everest, Gajanand, Shyan, and Sheeba Taza have failed quality tests conducted by the state health department as part of its campaign against food adulteration.

Both MDH and Everest spice products have been found to contain ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide.

• Ethylene oxide is unfit for human consumption, and long-term exposure to it can cause cancer.

• Hong Kong banned the sale of these brands after detecting the presence of… pic.twitter.com/6S1nX0wtR9

— Conscious Lifestyle (@ConsciousJeevan) April 24, 2024

The sample test found that Shyam's garam masala contained acetamiprid, Sheeba Taza's raita masala contained thiamethoxam and acetamiprid, Gajanand's pickle masala contained ethion, and Everest's cumin masala contained azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam. The research team revealed that the concentrations of pesticides and insecticides in these spices exceeded permissible limits, posing serious health risks.

After the investigation, Rajasthan authorities have sent letters to the food safety commissioners of Haryana and Gujarat, among others, instructing them to take necessary action against the manufacturing units of these brands. Additionally, a letter has been sent to the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in New Delhi, urging his intervention in the matter.

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