The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is probing products from two Indian spice manufacturers following allegations of containing a cancer-causing pesticide. Earlier this month, Hong Kong halted sales of spice mixes by MDH and Everest due to purported high levels of ethylene oxide. Both companies, renowned for their products in India and globally, have faced scrutiny over safety concerns. Everest asserts the safety of its products, while MDH is yet to comment on the issue.

Singapore also recalled Everest's fish curry mix due to similar concerns about ethylene oxide levels posing cancer risks. India's Spices Board is investigating exports to Hong Kong and Singapore, collaborating with authorities to pinpoint the "root cause" of the problem, as inspections at the companies' plants commence. Notably, both MDH and Everest websites were offline at the time of reporting.

Ethylene oxide, utilized as a fumigating agent for spices, is classified as carcinogenic by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Exposure to this chemical is linked to an increased risk of lymphoid and breast cancer, particularly in females. The BBC has reached out to MDH and Everest for their responses. This isn't the first time MDH faced scrutiny; in 2019, certain batches of its products were recalled in the US due to salmonella contamination concerns.