Spices Board steps to enhance safety, quality of Indian spices

The Spices Board of India is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spices meant for exports following reports on recall of a few products of two Indian spice brands in Singapore and Hong Kong due to concerns of potential Ethylene Oxide (ETO) contamination. The recall appears to have been prompted by heightened scrutiny surrounding ETO, a sterilising agent used in food materials. The Spices Board, as the regulatory authority overseeing export promotion of spices from India, is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and quality of Indian spices meant for exports, the Board said on Thursday..

Upholding its commitment to food safety and quality, the Board had established stringent protocols and guidelines for ETO residue. Following the recall and growing debate over safety, Spices Board has mobilised efforts to gather technical information, analytical reports and exporter data from relevant authorities in both countries. The Board is in touch with Indian missions in Singapore and Hong Kong to get more information and official notification and is working with exporters whose consignments have been recalled to ascertain the root cause of the issue and propose corrective measures.