Global bans and tragic incidents spark alarm over Indian food products
Recently , there has been global scrutiny over the quality of Indian spices. The Hong Kong Food Safety Center raised concerns about several Indian spice companies due to the presence of ethylene oxide, a banned toxic chemical linked to cancer. This has sparked significant safety concerns regarding Indian spices.
The problem extends beyond a single incident. Singapore, Maldives, and Hong Kong have all responded decisively, prohibiting the sale of Indian spices in their markets. Additionally, the European Union Food Safety Authority has taken action, banning more than 500 Indian spices over the last five years.
However, the concern expands beyond spices. Nuts, dried fruits, and various other food products from India have also been identified as subpar, prompting global apprehension.
In the United States, the situation escalated significantly last year, with over 30% of spices imported from India being rejected due to toxicity and chemical adulteration.
Even the pharmaceutical sector isn’t immune to these challenges. Indian pharmaceutical firms have garnered a reputation on the international platform for producing inferior-quality medicines.
In a tragic incident in February 2024, 68 children in Uzbekistan tragically lost their lives after consuming cough syrup imported from India.
Subsequent investigations revealed alarming levels of ethylene glycol in the syrup, underscoring serious deficiencies in safety standards.
Critics argue that while these issues persist, the Modi government seems more inclined towards pursuing its political agenda than addressing urgent concerns regarding food and drug safety.
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