India seeks information on masala dispute from Singapore, Hong Kong, instructions to send report to embassies

India, the largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices worldwide, has asked Singaporean and Hong Kong food safety authorities for more information regarding the controversy involving two Indian companies' spice products. The embassies in both nations have been requested by the government to submit a report on this issue.

Due to quality concerns, MDH and Everest companies' spice products have been banned in Singapore and Hong Kong. Additionally, the Indian embassies in these two nations have been instructed by the Commerce Ministry to submit a thorough report on this subject.

The ministry has also sought details from the two companies covered under the ban - MDH and Everest. Their products have been banned due to them allegedly containing the pesticide 'ethylene oxide' more than the permissible limits. "Details have been sought from the companies. The root cause of rejection of Indian spice products will be diagnosed and resolved in coordination with the concerned exporters," a commerce ministry official said.

The official said technical details, analytical reports and details about exporters have been sought from the embassies in Singapore and Hong Kong in this regard. Apart from this, details have also been sought from the Food Safety Body of Singapore and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong. An industry consultation has also been scheduled to discuss the issue of mandatory testing of ethylene oxide in exported spice products.

Meanwhile, the Spices Board of India is considering a ban on the sale of four spice-blend products of MDH and Everest. Hong Kong's food safety regulator has asked consumers not to buy the products and traders not to sell them, while the Singapore Food Agency has ordered a recall of the products.