Hong Kong banned the sale of Indian spice brands MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. after authorities detected the presence of carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes.
Key points
- The Centre For Food Safety of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said that there was a presence of ethylene oxide in MDH Group’s Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder and Curry Powder.
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen.
- According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.
- Ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) is a flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor. The major use of ethylene oxide is as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of ethylene glycol.
- Ethylene oxide is also used as a sterilizing agent for medical equipment and a fumigating agent for spices.
- Many industries use ethylene oxide. Some use it to make ethylene glycol, which industries use to make antifreeze and polyester.
