After Kathmandu, Singapore and Hong Kong, Nepal has also banned the sale and import of some spice-blend products manufactured by Indian brands over alleged quality concerns.
Four spice-blend products from MDH and Everest were banned in the Himalayan nation from Friday due to suspected ethylene oxide or EtOH contamination, according to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
This includes Madras Curry Powder, Sambar Mixed Spice Powder; MDH's mixed spice curry powder and Everest's fish curry masala have been banned in Nepal.
"Since the residual content of ethylene oxide in these four products has been found to be more than the prescribed limit, the import and sale of these products within the country is prohibited as per Article 19 of the Food Regulation 2027 BS," the department said in a notice. Released on Friday.
It said, “Our serious attention has been drawn to media reports about the sale of these substandard products in the market, and that these are harmful for consumption.,
The food quality control watchdog has also urged importers and traders to withdraw these products from the market.
Last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted the sale of some spices produced by MD and Everest over suspected high levels of EtO, which is linked to some cancers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has since taken steps to check the quality of powdered spices of various brands in the country.
On Friday, the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) said India's spice exports could decline by about 40 per cent in fiscal 2025 if the issue of ethylene oxide contamination in export-bound spices is not addressed as soon as possible. Can come.
According to the Spices Board of India, India is one of the world's leading spice producers, exporting over 200 spices and value-added products worth US$4 billion to around 180 countries in 2021-22.
Four spice-blend products from MDH and Everest were banned in the Himalayan nation from Friday due to suspected ethylene oxide or EtOH contamination, according to the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.
This includes Madras Curry Powder, Sambar Mixed Spice Powder; MDH's mixed spice curry powder and Everest's fish curry masala have been banned in Nepal.
"Since the residual content of ethylene oxide in these four products has been found to be more than the prescribed limit, the import and sale of these products within the country is prohibited as per Article 19 of the Food Regulation 2027 BS," the department said in a notice. Released on Friday.
It said, “Our serious attention has been drawn to media reports about the sale of these substandard products in the market, and that these are harmful for consumption.,
The food quality control watchdog has also urged importers and traders to withdraw these products from the market.
Last month, Singapore and Hong Kong halted the sale of some spices produced by MD and Everest over suspected high levels of EtO, which is linked to some cancers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has since taken steps to check the quality of powdered spices of various brands in the country.
On Friday, the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) said India's spice exports could decline by about 40 per cent in fiscal 2025 if the issue of ethylene oxide contamination in export-bound spices is not addressed as soon as possible. Can come.
According to the Spices Board of India, India is one of the world's leading spice producers, exporting over 200 spices and value-added products worth US$4 billion to around 180 countries in 2021-22.
