MDH facing rejections in US since 2021. Click to learn why

A recent report on analysis of US regulatory data reveals that MDH, a popular Indian spice brand, has faced an average rejection rate of 14.5% for its shipments to the US since 2021 due to bacteria presence. This scrutiny follows Hong Kong’s suspension of sales of MDH’s spice blends, along with another Indian company, Everest, for alleged high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

Despite assurances from both companies regarding product safety, authorities in the United States, Australia, and India are investigating the matter. MDH emphasizes that it does not use ethylene oxide in any stage of its spice processing. Both MDH and Everest are well-known brands in India, with significant exports globally.

Before the recent scrutiny, MDH faced rejections in the US primarily due to salmonella contamination. Approximately 20% of MDH’s shipments to the US were rejected between October 2023 and May 2024 due to salmonella issues. Everest, on the other hand, had fewer rejections, with just one shipment out of 450 being rejected for salmonella in the ongoing fiscal year.

In response to the FDA data, MDH reiterated the safety of its products, while Everest highlighted its low rejection rate of less than 1% for US shipments in 2023-24, adding that their products are safe for consumption

The US FDA and the Spices Board are yet to comment on the matter, although inspections of MDH and Everest facilities are ongoing.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is reportedly mulling a way of getting each batch of the spices checked by the company itself

These developments raise concerns about the safety and quality of spices from these renowned Indian brands. Despite being widely used in home kitchens and restaurants for decades, both MDH and Everest have faced previous recalls and scrutiny over contamination issues, highlighting the importance of stringent quality control measures in the spice industry.