Now Nepal also bans spice brands MDH and Everest

New Delhi, May 17 (HS): Indian spices, famous for their taste and aroma in the country and the world, are in the midst of controversy after harmful pesticides were found in them. After Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, now Nepal has also banned the sale, consumption and import of two Indian spice brands MDH and Everest.

Confirming this, a spokesperson of Nepal's Food Technology and Quality Control Department said that the import, consumption and sale of two Indian spice brands MDH and Everest has been banned. According to the spokesperson, the spices of these two brands are being tested for the level of chemical ethylene oxide. The ban will remain in force until the final report comes.

Earlier in the month of April, some products of MDH and Everest companies were banned in Singapore, Hong Kong and Singapore due to the quantity of pesticide ethylene oxide exceeding the limit. There is a risk of cancer due to excessive quantity of this pesticide in these products. However, on May 6, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had refuted all the media reports claiming that the Indian Food Controller was adding 10 times more pesticides than the prescribed standard in herbs and spices.