Ethylene oxide found in samples of prepackaged spice mix products

Issue Date 5.4.2024
Source of Information

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS)

Food Product

Prepackaged spice mix products

Product Name and Description

Product name: Madras Curry Powder (Spice blend for Madras Curry)

Brand: MDH

Place of manufacture: India

Net weight: 100 grams

Best-before date: End-August 2024

Distributor: Dhillon Group of Companies Limited

Hotline: 9518 1250

 

Product name: Fish Curry Masala

Brand: Everest

Place of manufacture: India

Net weight: 1.75oz (50 grams)

Best-before date: September 2025

Importer and distributor: MPS FOODS (HK) LTD

Hotline: 3591 1541

 

Product name: Sambhar Masala Mixed Masala Powder

Brand: MDH

Place of manufacture: India

Net weight: 100 grams

Use by date : November 2024

Importer: AGAM Trading Co.

Hotline: 9121 7676 or 9222 4131

 

Product name: Curry Powder Mixed Masala Powder

Brand: MDH

Place of manufacture: India

Net weight: 100 grams

Use by date: November 2024

Importer: AGAM Trading Co.

Hotline: 9121 7676 or 9222 4131

Reason For Issuing Alert

-  The CFS collected the above-mentioned samples from three retail outlets in Tsim Sha Tsui respectively for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide.

-  The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health.

Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety

-  The CFS has informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected products. According to the CFS's instructions, the distributors/importers concerned have initiated recalls on the affected products.

-  The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incidents and take appropriate action. Investigations are ongoing.

Advice to the Trade

Stop using or selling the affected products immediately if possess any of them

Advice to Consumers

Should not consume the affected products

Further Information

The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the respective hotlines above during office hours for enquiries about the recalls of the products concerned.

Photos for reference only

Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2024-4-5

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