On May 21, a woman buys packets of MDH and Everest spices in a store in Amritsar. | Photo source: AFP
History so far: Last month, Hong Kong and Singapore recalled some MDH and Everest Group spice blends, allegedly due to the presence of higher than recommended levels of the sterilant ethylene oxide (ETO). Indian authorities have now initiated a series of measures to ensure that Indian spices comply with food safety standards in importing countries.
Where does pollution occur?
Ganeshan Varadarajan, promoter of Lifespice, claims that India does not apply ETO as a pesticide but only as a sterilizing agent to reduce the microbial load in finished products (spices). Most agricultural products, including spices, are stored in mands (farmer auction yards), where they are contaminated by contact with humans, birds, reptiles and insects. Many enormous factories receive material from mandies, which is then fed on automated lines. It leaves them with high levels of microorganisms and forces them to choose ETO sterilization. However, contamination levels can be reduced at an early stage through processes adopted to add value. Consumers should start paying attention to the quality of products, not just the price, he says.
How gigantic is the export of Indian spices?
Flash export estimates available from Spices Board India show that India has a significant share in the global market for spices and spice products. In 2023-2024, India exported spices worth USD 4.4 billion (nearly 14 lakh tonnes), up 12.3% from the 2022-2023 financial year. Data shared by the United Growers Association of Southern India shows that chillies, spice oils and oleoresins, curry powder and paste, cumin, mint products, cardamom and pepper are among the largest spices and spice products exported in the financial year 2022-23. In terms of production, garlic, ginger and chilli were the top three spices produced in FY23.
China, Bangladesh, West Asian countries and the US are crucial markets for Indian spices.
What impact did the recall have?
An official at the Federation of Indian Spices Stakeholders’ office pointed out that Singapore and Hong Kong have not banned Indian products, but have only withdrawn them. Exports to these countries have resumed, so this issue may not have a major impact in the coming months. India’s share in the total world production of spices is approximately 70%.
Different countries have different standards for ETO and maximum pesticide residue levels (MRLs). The European Union has stringent standards for both ECAs and MRLs, while Japan largely sources only organic products. The industry has been in talks with the Indian government, demanding talks with the EU on relaxing norms to escalate exports of Indian spices to the EU market.
A section of chilli growers in Telangana said the problem is unlikely to affect farmers to a greater extent as most of them do not export directly. Moreover, Indian food exports have also faced many challenges in the past due to stringent norms in buyer countries. The grower pointed out that cardamom and black pepper are grown as catch crops with tea, coffee and rubber. The MRL is stringent for these major crops and therefore both spices are able to meet the standards. Manufacturers of spice blends and pastes should look for original spices grown in India rather than using imported spices. Moreover, they should be careful while importing spices from other countries and exporting value-added products, said a cardamom farmer in Kerala. A turmeric exporter based in Erode, Tamil Nadu, says that while the US allows the apply of ETO, the EU is looking into a steam sterilization method. But while the cost of using ETO as a sterilant is £5 per kg, for steaming it costs £20-25 per kg. “The Indian government should define achievable guidelines and inform the purchasing countries about it,” he says.
What did the Spice Board do?
Following the recall by Hong Kong and Singapore, the Spices Board issued a detailed protocol to all producer exporters to prevent ECA contamination. The board also announced that it is starting mandatory testing of spice shipments to Singapore and Hong Kong for ETO. She also talked to the international food standardization body about the need to set a limit on the apply of ETO, as it varies from country to country.
