American food regulator also alert on 'masala controversy', gathering information related to MDH and Everest

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is collecting information related to the products of Indian spice manufacturers MDH and Everest. This action is being taken after Hong Kong stopped the sale of some products after allegedly finding high levels of cancer-causing pesticides. These claims have been made in media reports.

"The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation," an FDA spokesperson told Reuters on Friday, according to media reports. Hong Kong this month halted the sale of three MDH spices and Everest's fish curry. Singapore had also ordered the recall of Everest spices because they contained high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption. Cancer may occur.

Reuters has not received a response from MDH or Everest regarding this issue. Everest had previously declared that its spices are safe to eat. MDH has not yet replied. Popular brands of spices in India, MDH, and Everest are available in Europe, Asia, and North America. Following the incidents in Singapore and Hong Kong, the Indian Food Regulator is also looking into the samples from those cities.