In a recent turn of events, MDH (Mahashian Di Hatti), a renowned Indian spice brand, has come under scrutiny following allegations of contamination in some of its products. According to reports, an average of 14.5% of MDH’s shipments to the United States since 2021 have been rejected due to the presence of bacteria, as revealed by a thorough analysis of U.S. regulatory data conducted by Reuters.
The situation escalated when Hong Kong authorities suspended the sale of three spice blends manufactured by MDH, along with one product from another Indian company, Everest. The reason cited was the detection of elevated levels of ethylene oxide, a pesticide known to pose cancer risks with prolonged exposure. Both MDH and Everest have vehemently refuted the allegations, asserting the safety of their products and emphasizing that they do not utilize ethylene oxide at any stage of their spice production process.
Despite these assurances, regulatory agencies in the United States, Australia, and India have launched investigations into the matter, underscoring concerns regarding food safety standards within the spice industry. India, being the world’s largest spice producer, consumer, and exporter, faces significant scrutiny over the integrity of its spice products.
The economic significance of India’s spice industry cannot be overstated, with domestic market estimates reaching $10.44 billion in 2022, as reported by Zion Market Research. Additionally, the Spices Board revealed exports worth $4 billion during the fiscal year 2022-23. However, the recent controversies surrounding MDH and Everest threaten to tarnish the industry’s reputation and potentially impact both domestic sales and international trade.
Prior to the current wave of scrutiny, MDH encountered challenges with its U.S. shipments due to salmonella contamination, leading to approximately 20% of shipments being rejected between October 2023 and May 2024. Similar rejection trends persisted in previous fiscal years, with rejection rates ranging from 8.19% to 15%.
In contrast, Everest has faced relatively fewer rejections in the United States, with only one shipment out of 450 being rejected for salmonella contamination in the ongoing fiscal year. Everest attributes its success in maintaining low rejection rates to stringent quality control measures and underscores the safety of its products.
Both MDH and Everest have reiterated the safety of their products amidst inquiries regarding the FDA data. However, regulatory bodies such as the U.S. FDA and the Spices Board have refrained from providing public comments, leaving consumers and industry stakeholders awaiting further updates.
The recent controversies surrounding MDH and Everest highlight the critical importance of implementing robust quality control measures and adhering strictly to safety standards within the spice industry. As investigations continue, it is imperative for manufacturers to prioritize consumer safety and transparency, thereby safeguarding the reputation of Indian spices both domestically and internationally.
