Boomer, millennial or Gen Z, we have all seen the spice king Mahashay Dharampal Gulati appearing on our screens in a red turban and white kurta set promoting his iconic masaale. We even know the tagline by heart, ‘asli masaale sach sach, M-D-H, MDH!.’ Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, food is incomplete in Indian households without a generous dash of these masalas. But what if you come to know that your favourite masala brands are selling you a Group 1 cancer ingredient packed in their spices? Singapore and Hong Kong have issued a ban on MDH and Everest spice mix, here’s why. 

Singapore and Hong Kong ban MDH and Everest Spice Mixes

Recently, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region banned the sale of MDH spice mixes due to the presence of a harmful carcinogenic pesticide called ethylene oxide. It was found in three spice mixes, Madras Curry Powder, Sambhar Masala Powder, and Curry Powder. A spokesperson for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine food surveillance programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected products.”

Prior to this, the Singapore Food Agency also took a similar action on Everest’s Fish Curry Masala. The spice mix was found to have ethylene oxide at levels surpassing permissible limits. This is not the first time Everest has come under a ban. In 2023, the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) also recalled Everest. Some of their mixes had Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. So, what is ethylene oxide and how is it harmful?

Ethylene Oxide, a Group 1 carcinogen

Ethylene oxide has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It is primarily used to create other chemicals including antifreeze. It is an odourless gas mostly used for industrial purposes and is harmful for human consumption. In small quantities, it is used as a pesticide and sterilising agent. But ethylene oxide has dangerous DNA-harming properties and long-term exposure to it can cause cancer. Lymphoma and leukaemia are the most common cancers associated with ethylene oxide, but it can also lead to stomach and breast cancers. Issues like respiratory irritation, lung injury, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea are also related to it. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also states that it is unsuitable for human consumption and can have harmful effects with continuous use.

So, next time you see Amitabh Bachchan or Shah Rukh Khan running to their homes to eat delicacies made using such spices, think again. Be a better consumer and protect yourself from consuming such harmful ingredients.

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