not today but centuries The whole world has been crazy about the fragrance of Indian spices since then. Most of the countries in the world import Indian spices to meet their needs. You will be surprised to know that Indian spices have a worldwide market of about Rs 35 thousand crores. India is also the largest producer and exporter of spices in the world. But in recent times, many countries of the world have raised questions on the quality of Indian spices. These include countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. At the same time, America has put it in the watchlist.
What’s the problem with Indian spices?
Let us tell you that regulatory action has been taken in Singapore and Hong Kong against the country’s two biggest spice brands – MDH and Everest, due to the amount of poisonous chemical ethylene oxide in Indian spices exceeding the prescribed limit. There is a risk of cancer from chemical ethylene oxide. After this, many countries have asked for an investigation. Experts say that after this decision, India’s big spice market may be affected. There may be a decline in exports.
US, Bangladesh and Australian food regulators have started investigations. However, both Everest and MDH have denied any wrongdoing. Ethylene dioxide, a sterilizing agent, reduces microbial contamination and extends the shelf-life of food products. But its excessive use is harmful.
How big is Indian spice export?
In FY24, the country’s spice exports are estimated at $4.25 billion, accounting for 12% of the $35 billion global spice trade. It was only $400 million in 2001-02 but has been increasing steadily over the years. It crossed $4 billion in 2020-21 but declined to $3.74 billion in 2022-23. The major spices exported from India are chilli, cumin, turmeric, cardamom, spice oil and turmeric. Oleoresin, black pepper, mint, ginger, garlic and saffron. China is the largest importer of Indian spices, followed by the US, Bangladesh, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, Australia and Singapore.
Was such action taken for the first time?
No! Indian spices have faced similar actions many times before. Regulators in the US, EU and many other countries have banned Indian spices over quality and presence of toxic substances. However, this may be the first time that it is facing widespread regulatory action in multiple countries. This has raised a question mark on the quality of food exported and consumed by India.
What could be the impact?
Hong Kong and Singapore are not big consumers of Indian spices but could be hurt by the investigations launched by the US, Bangladesh and Australia. The share of these three in Indian spice exports is one fourth. India is the second largest supplier of spices to the European Union, which is very sensitive to health and safety concerns. Trade experts have warned that exports worth $2.17 billion, 51% of total spice exports, are at risk if the issue is not resolved soon.
What steps has India taken so far?
The government’s Spices Board and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) are looking into the matter. The Spices Board has ordered mandatory testing of shipments to Hong Kong and Singapore, while it has sought testing details from its regulators. It has started inspection of manufacturing facilities of exporters and issued guidelines to stop ethylene-oxide mixing. Meanwhile, FSSAI is under pressure to look into the quality of spices sold in India.
Comprehensive guidelines issued to exporters
The Spices Board has issued comprehensive guidelines to exporters to stop the use of carcinogenic chemical ethylene oxide (ETO) in products imported from India. This step has been taken amid recent quality concerns raised by some countries on some spice products. As per the guidelines, exporters will have to avoid the use of ETO chemical in spices as disinfectant/fumigation agent or in any other form. Along with this, they have to ensure that transportation, storage/warehouse, packaging material suppliers do not use this chemical at any stage. It said exporters will have to take adequate measures to ensure the absence of EtO and its metabolites in spices and spice products in the supply chain. Exporters will also recognize leaching chemicals as a hazard and include hazard analysis critical control points in their food safety management system and critical control points to prevent ETO in their food safety plan.
need to analyze the root cause
“Exporters will have to test for ETO in raw materials, processing aids, packaging materials and finished goods,” the nine-page guidelines said. If ETO is detected at any stage of the supply chain, exporters will have to analyze the root cause and implement appropriate preventive control measures to avoid its recurrence in future.” These guidelines are issued by Hong Kong and Singapore for popular spice brands. This comes after banning the sale of MDH and Everest. The products have been recalled from stores after the carcinogenic chemical ethylene oxide was found in their products.
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