Lucknow Press
New Delhi. About 12 percent of the spices tested in India did not meet the quality and safety standards. This information has come to light when many countries have banned the sale, consumption and import of spices of popular brands like MDH and Everest.
Hong Kong had banned the sale of spices of these two brands. After this, Britain also tightened control on all spices imported from India. New Zealand, America and Australia also started investigating these brands. After this, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also investigated the spices of these brands.
MDH and Everest have said that their spices are safe for consumption. These spices are in great demand in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America. India is the world’s largest exporter, producer and consumer of spices.
Out of 4054 samples of spices, 474 did not meet the standards
In fact, Reuters obtained the data of spices testing from May to July under India’s Right to Information Act (RTI). According to this, 4,054 samples were tested between these months. Out of which 474 samples did not meet the quality and safety standards.
Action taken against companies for not meeting standards: FSSAI
The food agency said it has taken action against companies whose samples did not meet the standards as per Indian laws. According to Zion Market Research, India’s domestic spice market was worth $10.44 billion in 2022. Exports of spices and spice products were $4.46 billion in 2023. In an RTI, Reuters had sought a report of all the samples that failed the test. But the agency said no such report was available.
