HK, Singapore food regulators warn against ‘cancer-causing’ ingredient in certain MDH, Everest spices. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 20 : Food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore have warned people against using four products from two big spice brands --- three from MDH and one from Everest -- over the presence of ethylene oxide at "levels exceeding the permissible limit".

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) Food regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore have warned people against using four products from two big spice brands --- three from MDH and one from Everest -- over the presence of ethylene oxide at "levels exceeding the permissible limit".

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a 'Group 1 carcinogen'.

In a statement posted on its website on April 5, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS), Hong Kong's food regulatory authority, said that three spice products of MDH -- Madras Curry Powder (spice blend for Madras Curry), Sambhar Masala (Mixed Masala Powder), and Curry Powder (Mixed Masala Powder) -- along with Everest's Fish Curry Masala contain "a pesticide, ethylene oxide".

Both MDH and Everest Foods were yet to comment on the food regulators' claims.

Under its routine food surveillance programme, the CFS took the products from three retail outlets in Hong Kong.

"The test results showed that the samples contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide," said to a CFS spokesperson.

The regulator instructed the vendors "to stop the sale and remove from shelves the affected products".

Recalls have been initiated on the products, it said.