Kathmandu. Nepal has banned the import, use and sale of spices of two Indian brands - MDH and Everest. Nepal's Food Technology and Quality Control Department has taken this decision amid reports of the possibility of pesticides and ethylene oxide in these spices. Nepal has also started testing for ethylene oxide in these spices.

Sale of spices has also been banned in Nepal

Ethylene oxide poses a risk of cancer. Nepal's Food Technology and Quality Control Department spokesperson Mohan Krishna Maharajan said, "The import of MDH and Everest spices into Nepal was banned a week ago. We have also banned their sale. Tests are underway for ethylene oxide in these two brands of spices. The ban will continue until the final report comes."

These countries have also taken big action

Earlier, Hong Kong's food regulator Center for Food Safety (CFS) had said that these spices contain pesticides and ethylene oxide which poses a risk of cancer. Four spice products of MDH and Everest were banned. Singapore's food agency has ordered the recall of MDH and Everest spices.

Additional control measures taken for Indian spices: UK

Britain's Food Standards Agency (FSA) on Thursday clarified that it has taken additional control measures for ethylene oxide in Indian spices since the beginning of this year. The FSA said there is an early warning system (EWS) for maximum levels of ethylene oxide. Ethylene oxide is banned in Britain.