Mint Primer Indian spices: the bitter taste of global scrutiny

News Snapshot:

Regulatory action in Singapore and Hong Kong on two of India’s biggest spice brands—MDH and Everest—for alleged chemical contamination has turned the heat on spice exports. Mint looks at the issue and analyses what it could mean for the $4-billion export sector. What just hit Indian spice exports? On 5 April, Hong Kong’s food regulator suspended the sale of MDH spice mixes saying they contain high levels of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic. Singapore followed suit with Everest, another top Indian spice brand. The Maldives has since banned both the brands while the US, Bangladesh and Australian food regulators have commenced...