The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating Indian spice makers MDH and Everest after Hong Kong halted sales of some of their products for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
The FDA is gathering information about the situation and has not yet commented on the matter. Hong Kong this month suspended sales of three MDH spice blends and an Everest spice mix for fish curries. Singapore also ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix, saying it contains high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure.
MDH and Everest did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Everest has previously said its spices are safe for consumption. MDH has not responded to queries about its products so far.
MDH and Everest spices are among the most popular in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia, and North America. India's food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is now checking the quality standards of the two companies, following the moves in Hong Kong and Singapore.
India's Spices Board, the government's regulator for spice exports, said on Wednesday it had sought data on MDH and Everest exports from authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore, and was working with the companies to find the "root cause" of the quality issues as inspections started at their plants.
In 2019, a few batches of MDH's products were recalled in the U.S. for salmonella contamination.