Even before current ban, MDH and Everest spices faced many rejections: Here's why

The regular consumers of Indian spice brands MDH and Everest Spices were shocked when the products came under scanner abroad recently for the presence of harmful ingredients. The scrutiny of many other products sold in Indian markets also followed, initiating a debate about whether food brands are deliberately selling poor quality products in the country, for the lack of strict laws. However, did you know that even before the recent allegation surfaced, MDH masalas were under scrutiny in the US, since 2019? For decades, MDH and Everest have been among the biggest spice makers in India, making products widely used in home kitchens and restaurants for flavouring curries and many dishes. MDH continues to claim its products are safe, but here's why MDH products were rejected in the US in the past:

Presence of bacteria in MDH
Since 2021, MDH has seen an average of 14.5% of its U.S. shipments rejected due to the presence of bacteria, a Reuters analysis of U.S. regulatory data found. Hong Kong suspended sales last month of three spice blends made by MDH and one by another Indian company, Everest, for apparently containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. Ethylene oxide is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure. The companies have said their products are safe and MDH added it does not use ethylene oxide at any stage of storing, processing, or packing of spices. Authorities in the United States, Australia and India are looking into the matter. Both brands are popular in India and are exported around the world. India is the world's biggest spice producer and is also the largest consumer and exporter of spices. Zion Market Research estimates India's domestic market was worth $10.44 billion in 2022, and the Spices Board said India exported products worth $4 billion during 2022-23.

Before the latest scrutiny, products from MDH, a family-run Indian company more than 100 years old, were rejected for sale in the United States due to the presence of salmonella, a bacteria that can lead to gastrointestinal illness. Around 20% or 13 of MDH's 65 shipments to the United States were rejected after it failed checks for salmonella between October 2023 - when the current fiscal year started - and May 3, according to the latest available data compiled by Reuters from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA did not state what quantity was contained in each shipment but the 13 shipments rejected included mixed spices and seasonings, as well as fenugreek, according to the data. In fiscal 2022-23, about 15% of 119 MDH shipments were rejected mostly for salmonella contamination, while the rejections stood at 8.19% during 2021-22, the data showed. In response to queries on the FDA data, an MDH spokesperson said its products are safe. In 2019 too, a few batches of MDH's spice mix were taken off the shelves in the U.S. for salmonella contamination.

Everest's 'exceptional' rejection rate in the US
Compared to MDH, Everest has had fewer rejections in the United States with just one of 450 shipments in the ongoing 2023-24 year having been rejected so far for salmonella. Around 3.7% of Everest's U.S. shipments were halted in 2022-23 and there were no rejections in the 189 shipments to the U.S. the year before, the data showed. Everest said it had an 'exceptional' rejection rate of its U.S. shipments of less than 1% in fiscal 2023-2024, adding that their products are safe. The U.S. FDA and the Spices Board did not respond to requests for comment. The Board has been inspecting MDH and Everest facilities for compliance with quality standards, but the results have not yet been made public. In 2023, the FDA recalled a few of Everest's products over salmonella presence and issued a public health alert.