Hong Kong has followed in the footsteps of Singapore by prohibiting the sale of four spice products from renowned Indian brands MDH and Everest. This action comes after the discovery that these products contain a hazardous chemical linked to cancer.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) in Hong Kong disclosed on April 5 that it detected ethylene oxide, a pesticide known to be carcinogenic, in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder, and Sambhar Masala – as well as Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.
Under its routine food surveillance program, the CFS collected samples of these products and detected ethylene oxide, a substance deemed unsuitable for human consumption. Hong Kong’s regulations strictly forbid the sale of food items containing pesticide residues that surpass safe limits.
The CFS, referring to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), stated that food containing pesticide residues can only be sold if its consumption does not endanger health. Consequently, the CFS instructed vendors to remove the affected products from their shelves and initiated an investigation, hinting at potential further actions.
Following suit, Singapore’s Food Agency (SFA) also recalled Everest’s Fish Curry Masala due to ethylene oxide levels exceeding permissible limits. Although SFA mentioned that low levels of ethylene oxide do not pose an immediate risk, prolonged consumption could potentially lead to health hazards due to the chemical’s carcinogenic nature.