Male/New Delhi: Following bans in Singapore and Hong Kong, the Maldives has also banned the sale of popular Indian spice brands MDH and Everest for allegedly containing a cancer-causing pesticide, ethylene oxide.
The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) banned the sale of Everest and MDH brand spices in Maldives.
In a statement, the MFDA said that the two brands of spices or masala produced in India have been found to contain ethylene oxide.
The authority banned the use and import of the two brands of Indian spices.
Ethylene oxide is used to fumigate agricultural products and is not recommended for use in food products due to its potential adverse health effects.
The MFDA also noted that the Singapore Food Agency and Hong Kong's Center for Food Safety have advised consumers against using the products.
The Maldives authority noted that the spices of these brands are imported and used in large quantities in Maldives and they were conducting a risk assessment, the Adhadhu website said.
According to reports, MDH and Everest spices are sold in Europe, Asia and North America.