“Not banned but 1 product recalled in Singapore,” claims Everest

Amidst reports of a controversy surrounding the presence of a cancer-causing ingredient in certain products, Everest, a prominent spice brand, has refuted claims of being banned in Singapore and Hong Kong.

A spokesperson for Everest clarified, “Everest is not banned in either country,” further explaining, “Singapore’s food safety authority referred to Hong Kong’s recall alert and asked our Singapore importer to recall and temporarily hold the product for further inspection.”

The company assured consumers that only one of its extensive range of 60 products has been held for examination and emphasized that its products are ‘safe and of high quality’.

The controversy erupted after food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore issued warnings against using four products from two popular Indian spice brands, MDH and Everest, due to the alleged presence of ethylene oxide at levels exceeding permissible limits.

Ethylene oxide, classified as a ‘Group 1 carcinogen’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, prompted Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) to instruct vendors to cease the sale and remove from shelves the affected products.

Similarly, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered the recall of Everest’s Fish Curry Masala, directing the importer, SP Muthiah & Sons Pte. Ltd. to recall the products due to the presence of ethylene oxide exceeding permissible limits.

In response to the controversy, the Indian government has ordered food commissioners to collect samples of spices from all manufacturing units in the country. Government sources revealed that samples would be collected from all spice manufacturing companies, not just MDH and Everest. Results from the lab are expected in approximately 20 days.

Government sources further emphasized, “Strict action will be taken if harmful substances are found in Indian spices, including provisions for criminal proceedings.”