Why are Indian spices facing the heat?
- May 3, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Why are Indian spices facing the heat?
Subject: Science and tech
Sec: Health
Context:
- Several countries, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S., are investigating Indian spice brands MDH and Everest for possible contamination with ethylene oxide (used as food stabiliser), a harmful chemical exceeding safe levels.
- In response, the Spices Board of India has mandated product testing for exports and is collaborating with exporters to pinpoint the contamination source.
- Ethylene Oxide is prohibited from being used even as a fumigant in India.
Product is tested for:
- Up to 139 pesticide residues
- Nearly seven metal contaminants including lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium and mercury.
- In terms of biological parameters, tested for yeast, mould, salmonella and staphylococcus among others.
- 25 physical parameters and 22 chemical parameters such as total ash, crude fibre and argemone oil among others.
- Argemone oil- native to Maxico, now widespread globally. Non-edible oil plant (toxic and poisonous). It’s seed resemble those of mustard (Brassica nigra), thus used as an adulterant in mustard oil. 1% adulteration can cause clinical disease.
- In terms of food additives, tested for Sorbates, Neotame and Sulfites among others.
- Salmonella are agents known to cause salmonellosis — a common bacterial food-borne illness.
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Health concerns:
- The spice mixes from MDH and Everest are reportedly contaminated with high levels of ethylene oxide (EtO), a banned pesticide.
- Initially used to sterilize medical devices, EtO is employed across various industries, including in the spice industry to reduce microbial contamination and extend shelf life.
- However, improper usage can lead to residues that form toxic and potentially carcinogenic compounds, such as ethylene glycol — recently linked to fatal contaminations in cough syrups.
- Long-term exposure to EtO is also associated with an increased risk of cancers like lymphoma and leukaemia.
Impact on India’s spice exports:
- With nearly $700 million in exports to key markets at risk and potential cascading losses that could halve India’s total spice exports, urgent action is needed to preserve the industry’s reputation.
- If regulatory actions similar to those in Hong Kong and Singapore are adopted by China and ASEAN countries, and possibly followed by the EU, which has a history of rejecting Indian spices over quality issues, Indian spice exports could dramatically downturn. The total potential loss could amount to 58.8% of India’s global exports, impacting $2.17 billion in value.
India’s response:
- In response to reports of ethylene oxide contamination in spices, the Spice Board of India has implemented several corrective actions.
- These include mandatory testing of spice consignments shipped to Singapore and Hong Kong, and demanding technical and analytical reports from food and drug agencies.
- They have also updated guidelines for exporters on how to prevent EtO contamination, covering testing protocols, storage, and alternative treatments to reduce chemical use.
- Following a similar advisory in 2021 due to concerns from the EU, the FSSAI has instructed state regulators to test major spice brands like MDH and Everest for EtO.
- Activists are pushing for more rigorous safety checks on spices, and a recent report suggests updating food safety standards to meet global norms and enhancing industry compliance through better information dissemination.
Spice Board of India:
- Indian government agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Responsible for regulating and promoting the export of Indian spices, headed by Chairman Shri A G Thankappan.
- Established in 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986, it oversees the production and development of cardamom and promotes the export of 52 listed spices.
- Headquartered in Kochi, the board operates state-of-the-art testing laboratories in several cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kandla, and Guntur, ensuring mandatory quality checks for exported spices.
Source: TH