Now Nepal has adopted a strict attitude towards Indian spices. After Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal has also banned the import and sale of some spice products from Indian companies due to alleged quality concerns. According to Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, four spice products from MDH and Everest have been banned due to suspected ethylene oxide or EtO contamination. Under this, MDH’s Madras Curry Powder, Sambar Masala Powder and Mixed Masala Curry Powder and Everest’s Fish Curry Masala have been banned.
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What the notice says
“As these four products were found to contain ethylene oxide above the prescribed limit, the import and sale of these products in the country is prohibited as per Section 19 of the Food Regulation 2027 BS,” the food department said. Technology and quality control are restricted.
“Our attention has been drawn to media reports of these substandard products being harmful for sale and consumption in the market,” the notice said asking importers and traders to withdraw the products from the market.
Singapore, Hong Kong took action last month
Let us tell you that last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted the sale of some spices from MDH and Everest because of suspected high levels of ETO, which is linked to some cancers. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has since taken steps to verify the quality of various brands of spices in the country.
Exports will be affected
Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) said that if the issue of presence of Ethylene Oxide (ETO) in spices is not resolved soon, spice exports may decline by around 40 per cent during the current financial year. . Let us tell you that India’s spice exports totaled $4.25 billion in FY 2023-24, which was 12 percent of global spice exports.