Latest revision as of 15:02, 14 May 2024

The Times of India

[edit] Exports: 2012-13

Country-wise export of spices from India, 2012-13

Feb 20 2015

From antiquity to the present, India has been known for its wide range of spices. The spice trade was among the key drivers of the world economy from the end of the Middle Ages to modern times. Even today, spices account for a considerable chunk of India's exports. According to the Spice Board of India, in 2012-13, India exported spices worth about Rs 12,000 crore. Data on 17 major spices shows that the US is the largest importer of spices like pepper, ginger and turmeric. Indonesia imports the highest quantity of garlic from India. The largest volume of chillies goes to Vietnam, while China is the largest importer of mint-based products from India.

[edit] Malpractices

[edit] Andhra Pradesh: "Dangerous" adulteration

The Hindu, November 6, 2016

P. SAMUEL JONATHAN

Probe reveals ‘dangerous’ adulteration of chilli powder

A.P. sleuths unearth low quality adulterant which can have devastating effects on the digestive system

Bags of low quality chilli powder, laced with chemical extracts, unfit for human consumption and used as a mere husk in furnaces in China, are being supplied to hotels, hostels and other mass consumption centres in Andhra Pradesh, Vigilance and Enforcement sleuths probing the incidents of adulterated chilli powder have found.

During a raid on a cold storage, adulterated chilli powder stacked in 4,500 bags was seized by the Vigilance Department. The stock was registered in seven different names, but their identification could not be proved.

Preliminary chemical analysis of the powder revealed some shocking truths. The powder is an extract made of low quality, discoloured chillis, red oxide and cooking oil. Further investigations revealed that the powder is made at a unit in Khammam. The powder, known in local parlance as “Chinese powder”, is being exported to China for use as an additive in furnaces.

‘Unfit for consumption’

“We were perplexed when local manufacturers in Khammam told us that the powder exported to China is marked ‘not fit for consumption’, and we are probing how the bags were stacked in cold storages here and sold locally. Often, the inferior quality chilli powder is mixed with quality powder and sold when the prices are high,” said an officer.

Consumption of adulterated chilli powder could have devastating effects on the digestive system. Extract containing red oxide having carcinogenic properties could prove fatal, if consumed.

The “Chinese powder” is usually exported during February-May. The dry inferior quality is powdered, mixed with red oxide and oil, and again dried to form into a powder. It retains some pungency due to the presence of dry chilli.

[edit] MDH, Everest: Hong Kong, Singapore curb the brands, USA watching/ 2024

Asmita Dey & Surojit Gupta TNN, May 13, 2024: The Times of India

The branded, organised spices market- 2019- 2021
From: Asmita Dey & Surojit Gupta TNN, May 13, 2024: The Times of India

The spate of regulatory actions overseas against two prominent spices brands have put the spotlight on the industry, which is witnessing robust growth — domestically as well as globally. The issue of safety of food products and companies adhering to global standards have also emerged and there have been calls for stringent action to prevent any malpractices. So, what is at stake for the branded spices industry that is expected to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2025? Here is an explainer:


What is the controversy?


Hong Kong and Singapore have stopped the sale of spices from two popular Indian brands MDH and Everest. The action came after the authorities detected presence of ethylene oxide beyond permissible limits. Some specific spices from these two brands have also come under the scanner of Australia’s Food safety agency. Some reports have said that the US FDA is also looking into products of these two brands. Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen that can cause DNA damage and disrupt cellular function, leading to the development of various types of cancers over time, says experts.


What do the firms say?


Both Everest and MDH have said that they adhere to strict hygiene and safety standards. Everest has said that its products have not been banned in Hong Kong and Singapore. “Only one out of 60 Everest products has been held for examination. We reassure our customers that our products are safe and of high quality, so there is no need for concern,” the firm has said.


MDH (Mahashian Di Hatti) has said the company has not received any communication from regulatory authorities of Singapore or Hong Kong and such claims are untrue, lacking any substantiating evidence. The over 100-year-old brand, which is a household name in India, said that it does not use ethylene oxide at any stage of storing, processing or packaging its spices.


What has been the response of the regulator, govt?


The food safety regulator — the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — announced a nationwide check on all manufacturers of spices. The Spices Board of India has also stepped up action, mandating strict checks on food products sold domestically and those for exports. Authorities have reiterated that food safety standards in the country are comprehensive to ensure quality. The FSSAI has also rejected reports as “misleading and baseless”, which claimed that Indian herbs and spices contain “elevated levels of pesticides.” Authorities have also unveiled stringent checks on the unorganised sector as well in several parts of the country.


What do experts say?


Loose enforcement of rules governing food processing has much to do with Indian companies failing safety tests. Besides, there is a lack of infrastructure — govt does not have the right testing labs and also adequate number of people who can go and test products on the ground, said Ravindra Yadav, partner at Technopak Advisors. “We have still not been stringent enough on how to regulate such kinds of malpractices by companies.” 


Veena P Panicker, head of biomonitoring-India, at Merck Life Science, said export regulations are very different in every country and it is critical for companies to have adequate knowledge about the regulatory aspects governing each country. She said the knowledge gap is the biggest challenge. “The second issue is around awareness of test methodologies. Companies need to comply with standardised SOPs (standard operating procedure) created for such tests,” said Panickar.


Why is it a big deal for the sector?


The controversy comes at a time when the sector has been witnessing robust growth. While the sector has faced such issues earlier too, the timing of the action is likely to hurt sales for some time now. Indian spices have gathered worldwide fame, and thanks to the Indian diaspora, sales have soared over the years. According to Avendus Capital, spices make up the most attractive segment under the food category with blended spices expected to reach 35% of the total organised business by 2025.