MDH everest masalas are cancer causing
Cancer-causing substances found in some MDH and Everest products by authorities in HK and Singapore. Meanwhile in India, nothing more
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The MRLs(maximum residue limits) of certain pesticides in spices and culinary herbs have been increased from 0.01mg per kg to 0.1mg per kg by FSSAI(the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), according to the Pesticide Action Network India, a non-government organisation. "Higher MRLs will mean higher and faster impact on the health of individuals due to residues,” the Pesticide Action Network India said. The higher MRLs may lead to increased pesticide load on consumers which in turn could raise the risk of the short-term and long-term adverse effects of pesticides, the network said. The FSSAI had in an April 8 order specified that in cases where pesticides are registered with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), the MRLs specified under Codex will apply. Codex is a set of international food standards published by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation. If the pesticides are not registered with the CIBRC, then the MRL of 0.1mg per kg (10-fold) will apply to spices and culinary herbs, the order said. In August 30, 2022 order, FSSAI had set a “default MRL” of 0.01mg per kg for pesticides not registered with the CIBRC. The April 8 FSSAI order supersedes its August 30, 2022 order. Its unclear what data the FSSAI had used to increase the MRLs 10-fold in spices and culinary herbs. more
Apr 26
Make your own masala at home. We Indians have got best of mixers, tougher to grind any seeds. But purity of seeds isn't ensured. Blackpepepper seeds don't smell typical and cinnamon sold in market feels like a colourful stick of bark of any tree. Jeera isn't pure either. Adulteration at basic level is rampant more
Apr 24
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has commissioned a quality check on MDH and Everest products. This follows complaints that several popular spice mixes of the two leading brands contained traces of ethylene oxide more than the permissible levels.This move by FSSAI comes after Hong Kong and Singapore recalled variants of the two masala majors’ products in their countries. FSSAI, in the quality checks, will also assess whether the products sold by MDH and Everest match the Indian standards of chemical residue as prescribed by the law. However, on exports, sources said the regulator may not have much role to play as it is the duty of the importing country to test the products and allow their entry. Ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol are chemicals which are used in spices and millets to preserve them for longer periods. They are also used in pesticides as stabilising agents. According to sources consumption of these chemicals beyond a permissible level could be carcinogenic. The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong had recalled spice mixes of MDH and Everest on April 5. Following this, even the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) recalled Everest Masala. Both agencies found that the premixes contain a pesticide ethylene oxide. According to them although there is no immediate risk to consuming food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, long-term exposure may lead to health issues. CFS said in its statement, “The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen.” This is not the first time Everest has come under heat from a foreign food regulator. In 2023, US Food & Drug Administration recalled Everest Sambhar Masala and Garam Masala as samples tested positive for Salmonella. It advised consumers not to consume the products and destroy them. more
Apr 23
Nobody is bothered about our health. More and more cancer cases are registered in hospitals. Businessmen, hospitals, schools, colleges are busy in making money out of humans. Government is friendly with money making mafia. more
Apr 22
