Singapore recalls desi masala, says pesticide present beyond limit

[TELUGU]

Singapore Food Agency recalled 'Everest fish curry masala' due to ethylene oxide. Sp Muthiah & Sons directed the recall. Everest, a major spices brand endorsed by Bollywood, faces minor sales impact from the incident.

MUMBAI: Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has recalled India's 'Everest fish curry masala' due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a pesticide that is not authorised for use in food, beyond permissible limits and advised buyers against consuming it. It followed a similar notification by the Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong. The importer, Sp Muthiah & Sons, has been directed to recall the products, SFA said in a statement on April 18.

The 57-year old brand founded by late Vadilal Bhai Shah is India's largest manufacturer of pure and blended spices and is present in more than 80 countries globally.

In a statement to TOI, the company said that all its products go through stringent checks before despatch and before export. Every shipment goes through quality inspection by the Spice Board of India, it said. "We strictly follow the highest hygiene and food safety standards and norms laid down by the authorities concerned and statutory bodies like the Indian Spice Board, FSSAI and others. However, we are awaiting an official communication to understand the issue and our quality control team will look into the matter," it added.

Everest, which competes with players like MDH Spices and Catch Foods in India's branded spices market, is pegged by analysts at well over Rs 20,000 crore and has been endorsed by Bollywood biggies like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Everest's current revenues are estimated to be over Rs 3,000 crore. Industry sources said that fish curry masala does not contribute to the company's sales significantly and the move is unlikely to have any major impact on its business.

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