Nearly 12% of India's Tested Spice Samples Do Not Meet Quality and Safety Standards

Data from tests conducted by Indian authorities after several nations took action due to contamination risks in two well-known brands shows that nearly 12% of tested spice samples did not meet quality and safety standards.

Following the cancellation of sales of certain MDH and Everest brand spice blends in Hong Kong in April due to elevated pesticide levels, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India examined, sampled, and tested mixed spice blends.

Following that, Britain tightened restrictions on all Indian spice imports, and officials in Australia, New Zealand, and the US stated they were investigating brand-related issues. According to MDH and Everest, their products are safe to eat. India, the largest manufacturer, exporter, and consumer of spices worldwide, loves the spices of these companies, which rank among the best and are also sold in North America, Asia, and Europe.

According to information obtained by Reuters under the Right to Information Act in India, 474 out of 4,054 samples tested between May and the beginning of July did not meet safety and quality standards. In a statement, the safety agency informed Reuters that, while it had not had any breakdowns by the brand of the spices it had tested, it was taking the appropriate legal action against the companies in question.

Without providing further details, it stated, "Action on non-conforming samples has been taken as stipulated," citing the applicable penalties under Indian law.

Reuters requested reports on all the samples that failed the tests through an open records request, but the agency claimed that these reports were not available. Zion Market Research estimated India's domestic spice market is worth $10.44 billion. The fiscal year that concluded in March saw a record $4.46 billion in exports of spices and spice-related products.