Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

UK tightens scrutiny of all Indian spice imports amid contamination allegations

UK tightens scrutiny of all Indian spice imports amid contamination allegations
A man adjusts the spice boxes of MDH and Everest on the shelf of a shop at a market in New Delhi, India, April 29, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo
REUTERS

Britain's food watchdog has applied extra control measures on all spice imports from India, it said on Wednesday, becoming the first to ramp up scrutiny of all Indian spices after contamination allegations against two brands sparked concerns among global food regulators.

Hong Kong last month suspended sales of three spice blends produced by MDH and one by Everest, saying they contained high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide ethylene oxide.


Singapore also ordered a recall of the Everest mix, and New Zealand, the US, India and Australia have since said they are looking into issues related to the two brands.

MDH and Everest - two of India's most popular brands - have said their products are safe for consumption.

In the most stringent crackdown so far impacting all Indian spices, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) said that in light of the concerns it has "applied extra control measures for pesticide residues in spices from India which includes ethylene oxide".

The agency did not elaborate on the exact steps it is taking.

"The use of ethylene oxide is not allowed here and maximum residue levels are in place for herbs and spices," James Cooper, deputy director of food policy at the FSA, said in a statement to Reuters.

India's Spices Board, which regulates exports, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. India is the biggest exporter, consumer and producer of spices in the world.

In 2022 Britain imported $128 million worth of spices, with India accounting for almost $23 million, data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity website shows.

MDH and Everest export their products to many regions including the US, Europe, South East Asia, Middle East and Australia.

Indian regulators have also conducted testing of all spice products and inspected samples of MDH and Everest products, though no results have been made public so far.

MDH has since 2021 seen an average 14.5 per cent of its US shipments rejected over the presence of bacteria salmonella, a Reuters analysis of US FDA data has found.

On Wednesday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency told Reuters in a statement it was aware of the concerns around MDH and Everest's products and "continues to monitor the situation".

"Based on current information, we have no evidence to suggest that the issues raised affect products currently in the Canadian market," it said.

(Reuters)

More for you

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre

'Devastating and out of touch' – indies react to Budget bombshell

Following the initial response condemning the Budget as 'the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory' from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), members have shared their stark reactions to the triple burden of doubled business rates, increased National Insurance, and higher minimum wage costs.

Multiple retailers have calculated specific impacts on their businesses, with costs ranging from £90,000 to £150,000 per year.

"This budget was horrendous for us as a company. Estimated costs to be around £110,000 - £120,000 per year," said Andrew Massey of Masseys DIY in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Christie & Co

'Popular' Somerset store on the market as long-term owners retire


Brocks at Rockwell Green, a Premier-branded convenience store near Wellington, Somerset is on the market as owners Simon and Rachel Brock are now looking to retire - after running the store for nearly 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announced as new co-owners of Wrexham Lager

Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Britain that has been brewing in Wales since 1882, has announced Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham AFC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Solar and wind power
iStock

Leading beverage brands join forces to accelerate renewable energy adoption

Ten global beverage companies have joined forces under a new industry-wide consortium, called REfresh Alliance, which is designed to help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the industry’s supply chain.

The new initiative invites additional companies from across the beverage industry to pool and scale their resources to remove barriers to renewable energy adoption in the supply chain, provide education on best market practices and support the industry’s transition to Net Zero.

Keep ReadingShow less
disposable vapes

Single-use disposable vapes are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Vape industry concerned over chancellor’s vaping duty proposal

Vape industry bodies have raised concerns over chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement introducing a flat-rate excise duty on vaping products, saying it could hurt public health and increase financial pressures on consumers.

The new excise tax, set to begin on October 1, 2026, will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, with additional VAT. This rate replaces the previous government’s proposed tiered tax structure, which many in the industry had criticised.

Keep ReadingShow less