Before the action in Hong Kong, MDH products were also rejected in America, claims the report

Popular Indian spice brand MDH, which is under investigation for irregularities in some of its products, has already taken action. Since 2021, an average of 14.5 percent of its US shipments have been rejected due to the presence of bacteria. This has come to light in an analysis of American regulator's data. This analysis has been done by Reuters.

Hong Kong last month blocked the sale of three spices made by MDH and one made by another Indian company, Everest. In which high levels of ethylene oxide, an apparently cancer-causing pesticide, were found. Ethylene oxide is unfit for human consumption and poses a cancer risk with prolonged exposure.

The companies have said their products are safe and MDH has said it does not use ethylene oxide at any stage of storing, processing, or packing the spices. Officials in America, Australia, and India are investigating this matter. Both brands are popular in India and exported across the world.

After prolonged exposure, ethylene oxide can cause cancer and is not suitable for ingestion by humans. India holds the dual distinction of being the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. According to Zion Market Research, India's domestic market is expected to be valued $10.44 billion in 2022. Additionally, the Spices Board reported that India exported $4 billion worth of goods in 2022–2023.

Salmonella prevented the more than a century-old family-run Indian company MDH's products from being sold in the US prior to the most recent investigation. This bacterium is capable of causing gastrointestinal disorders.

Nearly 20%, or 13, of MDH's 65 shipments to the United States were rejected after failing to test for salmonella between October 2023, according to the latest available data compiled by Reuters from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). was given.

The data showed that in FY 2022-23, about 15 percent of the 119 MDH shipments were rejected mostly due to the presence of Salmonella, while the percentage of shipments rejected during 2021-22 was 8.19%. Everest has had fewer rejections in the United States, with only one of its 24 shipments so far in 2023–24 rejected due to the presence of salmonella. The data showed that about 3.7 percent of US shipments of Everest were blocked in 2022-23. Whereas a year ago, there was no rejection out of 189 shipments to the US.

Responding to questions related to FDA data, an MDH spokesperson said that our products are safe. While Everest said its US shipments had an 'exceptional' rejection rate of less than 1% in the fiscal year 2023-2024, it said its products are safe.