May 22, 2024, New Delhi: A month after Singapore and Hong Kong banned Indian spices by MDH and Everest for allegedly containing pesticide and carcinogen ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits, the food safety regulator of India, FSSAI stated that no traces of ethylene oxide were found in 28 lab reports and 6 lab reports were still awaited. However, despite this message from FSSAI, skepticism amongst household consumers continues.

Late last week, Nepal followed Singapore and Hong Kong in banning sales of some mixed spice products of these two companies. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also investigating products from the two popular brands for potentially containing the pesticide, Reuters has reported citing an FDA spokesperson. The news agency has also cited that the US regulatory data shows that since 2021 an average of 14.5% of US shipments of MDH spices were rejected due to presence of bacteria. The European Union (EU) has also raised concerns after discovering the same cancer-causing substance in samples of chilli peppers and peppercorns from India, according to media reports. While the two Indian spice brands insist that their products are safe, food regulators in other importing countries like Maldives, Bangladesh and Australian are reported to have also launched investigations.

Consumers across India have regularly been expressing concerns regarding these spices and food safety in general on various social media platforms including LocalCircles. To understand the latest consumer pulse on the issue, LocalCircles has conducted a follow-on survey to find out from households about their changing consumptions of these brands of spices and whether they are satisfied with the actions of FSSAI and their state food department to protect the interests of consumers. The survey received over 27,000 responses from household consumers located in 306 districts of India. 61% respondents were men while 39% respondents were women. 40% respondents were from tier 1, 27% from tier 2 and 33% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

36% consumers likely to refrain from buying MDH and Everest spices; 17% consumers likely to continue buying despite the safety issues

In light of the health concerns of consumers, the survey first asked, “Certain spices from MDH and Everest brands have been found to have Ethylene Oxide (a cancer-causing substance) by regulators in Singapore and Hong Kong and several countries have banned their spices as well. What is your household doing on spices consumption with regards to these brands?” The question received 13,891 responses with only 17% of respondents stating that they are “still consuming what’s at home and replenishing stock of spiced from these brands”. Of the remaining respondents, 16% stated that they are “still consuming what’s at home but buying packs of other brands instead”; 20% of respondents stated that they “have disposed packs of these brands that were at home and buying spices from other brands instead”; 42% of respondents stated that they “did not have any spices from these two brands in use and will not be buying their spices till we are sure of their quality” and 5% of respondents did not give a clear reply. To sum up, 36% of consumers are likely to refrain from buying MDH and Everest spices while 17% of consumers are likely to continue buying despite the safety issues surrounding these brands.

58% consumers surveyed say actions of the food regulator and state food departments post the MDH, Everest reports hasn’t increased their confidence; 28% are unaware of what actions have been taken

It is unfortunate that FSSAI has not asked the two brands so far to withdraw the specific products identified to be carrying carcinogen Ethylene Oxide from the domestic India market. The survey next asked consumers, “Have the actions taken by FSSAI (India’s food regulator) and your state food department since the Everest and MDH spices issue was reported increased your confidence in food safety in India?” The question received 13,782 responses with 58% of respondents stating “no, absolutely not” and 28% not giving a clear response as they “don’t know what actions have been taken. Only 14% of respondents stated “yes, they have” increased confidence in food safety in India. In essence, 58% consumers surveyed say actions of the food regulator and state food departments post the MDH, Everest reports hasn’t increased their confidence; 28% of those surveyed are unaware of what food safety actions have been taken.

It must be noted here that the Central Government body FSSAI can issue orders to prohibit the sales of these specific products in the domestic market and the state food departments are to then enforce any such orders in their respective state and districts. The state food departments can also conduct inspection in their state/districts and send random samples for testing to the local lab. However, 6 in 10 consumers are not impressed and do not have any confidence on the food regulators.

In summary, the survey shows that 36% of consumers are likely to refrain from buying spices of the two brands (MDH and Everest) in the near future. However, 17% of consumers are likely to continue buying despite the safety issues surrounding these brands. On the food regulators’, 58% consumers surveyed say their actions so far have not instilled any confidence about food safety while 28% stated that they are unaware of what actions have been taken so far. It is unfortunate that even as other countries strive to take action to protect their consumers by ensuring that all edible products are safe to consume, authorities in India are extremely slow to respond. Less than 5 states out of the 30 in India have become active in auditing food manufacturing units and restaurants since the spices issue came to light. If one goes by the feedback of food business owners (manufacturing food products or restaurants) on LocalCircles, the whole process of food licensing, audit and enforcement is ridden with bribery and mis governance in many parts of India with use of agents or middlemen for many activities. FSSAI as the central food regulator may need to consider operating on the lines of a centralised system like that of the passport instead of relying on state food department who do not have a direct reporting line into FSSAI. Till that happens and food safety reforms are undertaken in India, the consumer trust in food will continue to be at low levels.

1 In 3 Household Consumers Likely To Refrain From Buying MDH and Everest Spices: LocalCircles Survey - News18May 22, 2024LocalCircles survey has found that 17% of the consumers are likely to continue buying despite the safety issues surrounding these brandshttps://www.news18.com/india/1-in-3-household-consumers-likely-to-refrain-from-buying-mdh-and-everest-spices-localcircles-survey-8898975.htmlarticleNews18

One In Three Household Consumers Likely To Refrain From Buying MDH, Everest Spices: SurveyMay 21, 2024However, 17% of consumers are likely to continue buying despite the safety issues surrounding these brands.https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/one-in-three-household-consumers-likely-to-refrain-from-buying-mdh-everest-spices-surveyarticleNDTV