Indian spices, including major brands such as MDH and Everest, have been banned by the European Union because of the presence of the carcinogen ethylene oxide.
Similarly, Singapore and Hong Kong have imposed complete bans, citing the same concerns. Despite these international actions, the Indian government has not yet responded effectively.
In the United States, 14% of MDH spice shipments were rejected in 2021 due to bacterial contamination.
Over the past four years, the European Union has banned more than 500 varieties of Indian spices. Recent seizures in Gujarat uncovered over 60,000 kg of adulterated spices, including chili powder, turmeric, and coriander.
These issues are not limited to spices; Indian nuts, dry fruits, herbs, and other food products have also faced global rejections.
The pharmaceutical sector has been affected as well, with reports of Indian cough syrup causing fatalities in Africa due to high levels of ethylene glycol.
