MDH-Everest Masala Ban: Now there is a ban on the sale of MDH-Everest Masala, know which increases the risk of cancer
MDH-Everest Masala Ban: After Hong Kong and Singapore, Maldives has also banned the sale of Everest and MDH masalas. Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) said that ethylene oxide has been found in two brands of spices manufactured in India. Read More – Sona Chandi Ka Bhav: Fall in gold and silver prices, know what is the latest rate of gold and silver in metros.
According to reports, the Maldivian government was still evaluating the risks posed by these spices. MFDA said that spices of these brands are imported and used in large quantities in Maldives.
Ban on sales in Hong Kong and Singapore
Earlier this month, the governments of Hong Kong and Singapore had banned the sale of Madras Curry Powder, Everest Fish Curry Masala, MDH Sambhar Masala Mix and MDH Curry Powder Mix spices. Alleging that MDH and Everest spices contained ‘pesticide’ chemicals.
Agencies in India and America are also investigating
After the reports, the Indian government has also started investigating their products. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also investigating the company’s spices. “The FDA is aware of these reports and is gathering additional information about the situation,” an FDA spokesperson told Reuters.
MDH rejected the allegations, said- the products are safe
However, on Saturday, MDH rejected the allegations of its products containing ‘pesticides’, saying that these claims are false and baseless and there is no concrete evidence for them. MDH said, ‘The allegations that our products contain ethylene oxide are not true. Apart from this, the company has not received any message from the regulatory authorities of Singapore or Hong Kong.
Ethylene oxide is a pesticide, it causes cancer
According to a report, ethylene oxide forms a flammable and colorless gas at temperatures above 10.7 Celsius. It works as a disinfectant, sterilizing agent and insecticide. It is used to sterilize medical instruments and reduce microbial contamination in spices.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ethylene oxide as a ‘Group 1 carcinogen’. This means there is enough evidence to conclude that it can cause cancer in humans. Ethylene oxide can cause cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. Stomach and breast cancer can also occur.
India exports spices worth Rs 32,000 crore in FY2023
In the financial year 2022-23, India exported spices worth about Rs 32,000 crore. Chilli, cumin, turmeric, curry powder and cardamom are the major spices exported.
