#248: Indian Spices banned abroad

Learn all from UPSC pov here

Indian spices are making news in west,

this time there's no Vasco Da Gama on our coast!

$700 million export is at stake & west is furious.

What's the spice ban issue, learn here👇🏼

MDH & Everest, 2 of India's giants are under radar

Why? Presence of Ethylene Oxide (EtO)

EtO: Toxic chemical used as food stabilizer but in permissible limits. (this is the catch!)

Who're these countries?

Domino started with Hong Kong!😨

3 MDH spices banned for high levels of EtO

Singapore then recalled Everest in same week. Why?

"unfit for human consumption"😱

US FDA jumped with Maldives, NZ, Bangladesh & Australia sharing similar plans!

But what's EtO?👇🏼

While MDH refused using EtO in their supply chain, it is:

• colorless & flammable gas

• used as sterilizer in agri, medical & chemical industry

In spice industry, it lowers microbial contamination → raises shelf life

So, what's the issue?

Excessive use leaves residues

These residues are toxic & carcinogenic

EtO further reacts to form Ethylene Glycol (EtG)

EtG was in cough syrup that made news killing 300 children in African countries

Wait, why's US involved in this?

US flagged 30 events in 2023 rejecting Indian spices

Why? SALMONELLA

A poisonous & deleterious substance with health concern

Checkout all 'reasons for rejection' in the image!

Okay CSEWhy, how's India responding to this?

Indian respondent on this is Spice Board of India

• u/ Spice Board of India Act 1987

• int'l link b/w exporters-importers

• touches every segment of spices sector

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry

What did Spice Board of India say?

Here are some measures:

• Mandatory testing of consignments to S'Pore & Hong Kong

• Sought to propose corrective measures to exporters

• Ensure adherence to relevant standards

• Testing for EtO at both raw & final stage

Challenges to Indian spice regulations?

1. Operational (limited resources)

• Diverse food landscape

• No standardized record-keeping

• Intentional food fraud → hard to trace

2. Logistic barriers

• Fewer FSSAI mandated testing labs

• Regulatory mandate(s) ill-followed

What next?

Multiple things:

• Billions of $$ at stake

• Farmers' income at stake

• Export & thus reputation at stake

Solution: Put your house in order before it fires big time!

For you,

Solution is get PYQs on tips.

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