Indian spices have recently come under scrutiny in the global arena due to quality issues. Hong Kong’s Food Safety Center has issued a warning against several Indian spice companies, citing the presence of a toxic chemical called ethylene oxide.
The chemical, which has been banned in many countries due to its link to cancer, has raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian spices.
This is not the only problem. Singapore, Maldives, and Hong Kong have all taken drastic measures, banning Indian fragrances from their markets.
The European Union’s Food Safety Authority has also banned more than 500 Indian spices in the last five years.
But the problem is wider than spices. Nuts, dry fruits, and other food items from India have also been declared unfit, sparking global concern.
This is the case in the United States, where more than 30% of perfumes imported into India were rejected last year due to toxicity and chemical adulteration.
The pharmaceutical industry is not immune either. Indian pharmaceutical companies have a reputation in the global arena for producing substandard medicines.
In a tragic incident in February 2024, 68 children in Uzbekistan died after consuming cough syrup imported from India.
The investigation revealed alarming levels of ethylene glycol in the syrup and pointed to serious lapses in safety standards.
As these problems continue, critics say, the Modi government is more focused on implementing its political agenda than addressing pressing issues of food and drug security.
