The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated an investigation into the purported contamination of Indian spice products, notably those associated with MDH and Everest brands. Reuters broke the news, revealing the FDA’s scrutiny of the safety of these spices.
MDH and Everest, two prominent names in the Indian spice industry, have been brought under the regulatory lens after reports of potential contamination surfaced. Despite repeated requests from Reuters for comment, both companies have remained silent on the matter. Everest, however, has previously assured consumers of the safety of its spices, while MDH has yet to address inquiries regarding its products.
The significance of this investigation extends beyond the Indian subcontinent, as MDH and Everest spices are widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and North America. In light of recent events, India’s food regulatory body, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has also stepped in to assess the quality standards of these companies. This action follows similar moves taken in Hong Kong and Singapore.
India’s Spices Board, responsible for overseeing spice exports, has taken proactive measures by seeking export data for MDH and Everest products from authorities in Hong Kong and Singapore. Additionally, the board is collaborating with the companies to identify the underlying causes of the quality issues. Plant inspections have commenced as part of this process.
This isn’t the first time MDH has encountered issues related to product safety. In 2019, several batches of MDH products were recalled in the U.S. due to salmonella contamination.
As investigations unfold, stakeholders within the spice industry await further developments, emphasizing the importance of stringent quality control measures to ensure consumer safety.