The government on Sunday said India has the strictest standards for pesticide residues in food items. Also, food regulator FSSAI rejected reports that high levels of pesticide residues are allowed in spices and herbs. Earlier, Hong Kong’s food regulator had banned some spices of two leading Indian brands MDH and Everest over the alleged presence of pesticide ethylene oxide in samples.
Samples of branded spices are being taken
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is taking samples of branded spices, including MDH and Everest, sold in the domestic markets to ensure that they comply with its quality norms. The authority does not determine the quality of the spices to be exported. The Union Health Ministry said in its statement that the maximum amount of pesticides in different food products varies based on risk assessment.
The report is false and malicious
The ministry said that some media reports are claiming that FSSAI allows 10 times more pesticide residues in herbs and spices. Such reports are false and malicious. The ministry said that India has very stringent standards for maximum residue limits (ML). Food regulator FSSAI has said that it regulates pesticides through the Central Pesticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) constituted under the Pesticides Act, 1968 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. CIB and RC regulate the manufacturing, import, export, transport, storage etc. of pesticides.
Let us tell you, just a few days ago, the food regulator of Hong Kong had banned some spice samples of two major Indian brands MDH and Everest due to the alleged presence of pesticide ethylene oxide.
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