Indian Spices Under Scrutiny After Ethylene Oxide Detection

The Ministry of Commerce clarified that Indian spices are not banned in Singapore and Hong Kong. However, some spice mixtures were recalled due to high levels of ethylene oxide. The Spices Board and FSSAI have implemented measures to ensure the safety and quality of spices exported from India.

Indian spices are not banned in countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the Ministry of Commerce informed Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Specific batches of spice mixtures exported from India were recalled by food safety authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore due to ethylene oxide levels exceeding permissible limits, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel stated in a written reply.

In response, the Singapore Food Agency placed the consignments from the associated brands under a Hold-and-Test regime for one month. The Spices Board, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has taken steps to meet varying ethylene oxide limits, including mandatory pre-shipment testing and guidelines for exporters.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is committed to ensuring safe food products across the country. It conducts regular monitoring and random sampling of food products, including spices, to ensure compliance with safety standards. Penal actions are taken against non-compliant food business operators.

The FSSAI has conducted pan-India surveillance for milk and milk products and spices and has laid down standards for fortified rice. It has also launched a traceability portal for rice fortification.

(With inputs from agencies.)