India’s commerce and industry ministry has launched an inquiry into the reported ban on certain spices produced by Indian companies like MDH and Everest in Singapore and Hong Kong. Following recent actions by food regulators in these countries, the ministry is seeking detailed information on the banned spices and the reasons for their rejection.
The inquiry involves reaching out to authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong for technical specifications, analytical reports, and information about the exporters whose shipments were turned away. The ministry is also coordinating with the Indian embassies in these countries and relevant food agencies such as the Singapore Food Agency and the Centre for Food Safety and Food & Environmental Hygiene Department in Hong Kong.
To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the ministry is collaborating with the affected companies mentioned in media reports. The focus is on understanding the underlying causes of these rejections and working with exporters to address any issues and implement corrective measures.
In addition to the specific MDH and Everest spice bans, the ministry is also addressing broader industry concerns by convening a meeting to discuss mandatory testing for Ethylene Oxide (ETO) in spice shipments bound for Singapore and Hong Kong.