The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated regulatory checks on spice brands in response to growing concerns over their quality. This move comes after reports of higher Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) of pesticides in spices and culinary herbs.
The regulatory body has issued an advisory following the petitions calling for a review and simplification of the sampling methodology for the spice products. Currently, MRLs are specified in the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins, and Residues) Regulation of 2011, set by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee.
This action was undertaken after food authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong recalled products manufactured by the leading spice brands of India due to high levels of ethylene oxide detected, as per the media reports.
