Hong Kong bans MDH and Everest herbs after finding a cancer-causing chemical

Hong Kong’s food safety watchdog has banned four herbal products from popular Indian brands MDH and Everest after discovering they contain a cancer-causing chemical.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) announced on April 5 that it has found ethylene oxide, a pesticide classified as a carcinogen, in three MDH products – Madras Curry Powder, Mixed Masala Powder and Sambhar Masala – and Everest’s Fish Curry Masala.

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“Ethylene oxide is unfit for human consumption,” the CVS stated, citing the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification. Hong Kong regulations prohibit the sale of food containing pesticide residues that exceed safe limits.

The CFS has ordered suppliers to remove the affected products from their shelves and has launched an investigation. The regulator also indicated that “appropriate action” could be taken.

Following the example of Hong Kong, The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) also recalled Everest’s Fish Curry Masala as a result of exceeding permitted levels of ethylene oxide.

Although SFA clarified that there is no immediate risk from low levels of ethylene oxide, long-term consumption may pose health risks due to the chemical’s carcinogenic properties.

MDH and Everest have not yet publicly discussed the reports.