The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) revoked the manufacturing licenses of 111 spice producers in the past month due to concerns about quality and safety. The action follows international scrutiny after Singapore and Hong Kong banned two popular Indian spice brands in April for allegedly containing ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic pesticide.
The FSSAI has launched a nationwide campaign to test 4,000 spice samples from various manufacturers, including well-known brands. So far, 2,200 samples have been tested, leading to the cancellation of licenses for 111 manufacturers who failed to meet basic quality standards.
Most of the affected producers are small-scale operations located in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but the investigation has also targeted manufacturers in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) had issued early warnings about the presence of ethylene oxide in Indian spices since before January 2023, indicating long-standing concerns about spice safety. In response to these issues, the FSSAI plans to increase permissible pesticide levels tenfold to combat industry adulteration.
The regulatory crackdown underscores growing concerns over food safety and adulteration in the spice industry. As reported by knnindia.co.in, the FSSAI’s actions aim to restore consumer confidence and ensure the safety of spice products in the Indian market, with more cancellations likely as testing continues.
