Bengaluru CEO Launches New Spice Brand Amid Safety Concerns Over MDH and Everest Products

Amid growing safety apprehensions over adulteration in popular spice brands like MDH and Everest, a Bengaluru-based CEO is set to launch a new spice brand that promises to fight adulteration. PC Musthafa, CEO of iD Fresh Foods, announced that his company is launching its own brand of spices and masalas in response to recent reports of contamination in MDH and Everest products.

Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong recently banned the sale of several spice mixes from MDH and Everest due to concerns that they contain the pesticide ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits. The pesticide is considered unfit for human consumption and has been linked to various types of cancer.

In response, India's food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has announced plans to conduct quality checks on MDH and Everest products to ensure compliance with safety standards. The FSSAI has directed all states to collect samples of powdered spices and conduct random testing, with a report expected within the next 25 days.

Why this matters: The controversy surrounding the safety of popular spice brands has raised concerns among consumers about the quality and regulation of widely used kitchen products in India and abroad. It highlights the need for stricter quality control measures and transparency in the spice industry to protect public health.

Musthafa, whose company iD Fresh Foods is known for its idli-dosa batters and ready-to-cook parottas, said he was shocked by the reports and is determined to fight food adulteration with his new spice brand. "All the products of my spice brand will be of high quality and adulteration-free," Musthafa stated.

Both MDH and Everest are well-known spice brands in Indian households and are exported to various countries. Everest Food Products has stated that all its products are safe and of high quality, asserting that only one out of 60 Everest products has been held for examination in Hong Kong, which they claim is a standard procedure and not a ban.

The Spices Board of India, the regulatory authority overseeing spice exports, has taken proactive measures to address the issue, including mandatory testing of spice consignments destined for Singapore and Hong Kong, working with affected exporters to identify the root cause, and conducting thorough inspections at exporter facilities.

The launch of a new spice brand promising to fight adulteration comes as a welcome development for consumers concerne

Key Takeaways

• Bengaluru CEO to launch new spice brand to fight adulteration
• Singapore, Hong Kong banned MDH, Everest spices over pesticide concerns
• FSSAI to conduct quality checks on MDH, Everest products
• Spices Board takes measures to address adulteration issues in exports
• New spice brand launch seen as welcome move for concerned consumers