Everest says its spices 'safe', claims no ban in Singapore or Hong Kong

NEW DELHI: Everest Food Products on Tuesday issued a statement reassuring its customers that all its products are safe and of high quality, following concerns raised by Singapore and Hong Kong over one of its spice-mix products.

The company clarified that Everest is not banned in either country, and only one out of its 60 products has been temporarily held for examination, which is a standard procedure and not a ban.

"We reassure our customers that our products are safe and of high quality, so there is no need for concern," the company spokesperson said.

"This is a standard procedure and not a ban. Only one out of 60 Everest products has been held for examination," the spokesperson said.

Singapore's food safety authority referred to Hong Kong's recall alert and asked the company's Singapore importer to recall and temporarily hold the product for further inspection, the spokesperson said.

Stating that food safety is the company's top priority, the spokesperson said, "...all our products undergo stringent quality control checks . Exports are cleared only after receiving necessary clearances & approval from the laboratories of the Spice Board of India."

Everest, a brand with over 50 years of experience, upholds strict hygiene and safety standards in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, earning numerous national and international certifications, the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ( FSSAI ) has begun collecting samples of spices in powder form of all brands, including MDH and Everest, from across India following concerns raised by Singapore and Hong Kong authorities.

India has sought details about the matter from the food safety regulators of Singapore and Hong Kong as well as Indian embassies in both countries.

The commerce ministry has also sought details from MDH and Everest.

Everest mix spices came to the centre of the controversy after the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong found ethylene oxide, a form of pesticide classified as carcinogen by The International Agency for Research on Cancer, in certain spice packs manufactured by MDH and Everest and has instructed vendors to stop sale of the products and remove them from retail shelves.

While authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong have already initiated recall of Everest's fish curry masala as reported by TOI, MDH's Madras curry powder, sambhar masala, mixed masala powder, and curry powder have also been recalled by Hong Kong.

Earlier, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) had recalled 'Everest' fish curry masala due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a pesticide that is not authorised for use in food beyond permissible limits and advised buyers against consuming it. The importer, Sp Muthiah & Sons, has been directed to recall the products, SFA said in a statement on April 18.

In the 2022-23 fiscal, the country exported spices worth nearly Rs 32,000 crore. Chilli, cumin, spice oil and oleoresins, turmeric, curry powder and cardamom are major spices exported.

(With agencies input)