Hong Kong Bans Everest and MDH Spices: High Pesticide Levels Raise Cancer Risk

Hong Kong has imposed a ban on the sale of products by MDH Private Limited and Everest Food Products Limited. This decision was made due to the presence of the carcinogenic ethylene oxide in their products, which is a pesticide. The increased presence of this pesticide in these products poses a higher risk of cancer.

This ban was announced after authorities in Singapore, prior to Hong Kong, also ordered the recall of Everest’s fish curry masala for the same reason.

The Food Safety Department of Hong Kong has announced through a statement that three spice mixes from the MDH Group – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Karhi Masala Powder – have been found to contain increased levels of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide. Similarly, under routine surveillance programs, Everest’s fish curry masala has also been found to contain this pesticide.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to food regulations, food containing pesticides can only be sold when it is not hazardous or harmful to health.

Ceasing sales and recalling products

The department has informed retailers about the irregularities and directed them to cease sales and recall the affected products. According to the CFS advisory, distributors and importers have been urged to recall affected products.

MDH Group’s three spice mixes – Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder, as well as Everest’s Fish Curry Masala, were found to have high levels of pesticides.