What’s in Your Masala?: Indian Spice Brands Under FDA Investigation for Allegedly Containing Cancer-causing Pesticide
- While the federal agency did not state what quantity was contained in each shipment but the 13 shipments rejected included mixed spices and seasonings, as well as fenugreek.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the Indian spice brand MDH for potentially containing a cancer-causing pesticide, Reuters has reported. An FDA data analysis done by the news agency revealed that since 2021, “an average of 14.5 percent of U.S. shipments of MDH spices were rejected due to the presence of bacteria. Meanwhile, both brands insist that their products are safe.”
Last month, Hong Kong suspended sales of three spice blends made by MDH, a family-run company more than 100 years old, and one by Everest, “for apparently containing high levels of ethylene oxide which is “unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure,” the Reuters report said.
India is the world’s biggest spice producer and is also the largest consumer and exporter of spices. Citing Zion Market Research, Reuters estimated that “India’s domestic market was worth $10.44 billion in 2022,” adding that “India exported products worth $4 billion during 2022-23,” according to the Spices Board. MDH and Everest have been among the biggest spice makers in India, for decades, “making products widely used in home kitchens and restaurants for flavoring curries and many dishes,” Reuters noted in its report.
While the FDA did not state what quantity was contained in each shipment but the 13 shipments rejected included mixed spices and seasonings, as well as fenugreek, Reuters said In fiscal 2022-23,” about 15% of 119 MDH shipments were rejected mostly for salmonella contamination, while the rejections stood at 8.19% during 2021-22,” the report added.
Before the latest scrutiny, MDH and Everest products were rejected for sale in the U.S. due to the presence of salmonella, a bacteria that can lead to gastrointestinal illness. Around 20%, or 13 of MDH’s 65 shipments to the United States were rejected after it failed checks for salmonella between October 2023.
Similarly, the FDA recalled a few of Everest’s products over similar findings and issued a public health alert. The recall notice advised consumers not to purchase or eat Everest Garam Masala, Everest Sambhar Masala, and Maggi Masala-ae-Magic distributed by New Jersey’s Amin Trading Agency. “These products were not distributed by Everest Food Products Private Limited and they were not intended for distribution or sale in the U.S. market,” the recall notice said. “Amin Trading Agency LLC sourced our products from Indian markets and distributed them in the U.S. market.”
Compared to MDH, Reuters noted that “Everest has had fewer rejections in the U.S. with just one of 450 shipments in the ongoing 2023-24 year having been rejected so far for salmonella.” Around 3.7% of Everest’s U.S. shipments were halted in 2022-23 and there were no rejections in the 189 shipments to the U.S. the year before, the data showed.
(Top photo, by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash)