New Delhi: Over 400 export quality products from India were flagged by the European Union between 2019 and 2024 for containing contaminants, Deccan Herald has reported, adding to its earlier report on EU countries finding the cancer-causing chemical ethylene oxide in 527 Indian products.
Fourteen of these products had lead that is known to damage various organs. Other metals like mercury and cadmium were also discovered, in fish among other products.
“As many as 21 products – mostly octopus, squid – had cadmium, which increases risk of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease,” the report said.
The report noted that at least 59 products contained pesticides that were deemed carcinogenic. Among chemicals found in rice, herbs and spices are tricyclazole, a fungicide banned in the EU for its carcinogenic and genotoxic properties.
Over 52 products contained more than one pesticide or fungicide, some with as many as five in them.
Days ago, there was news that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has now allowed a 10-times increase in the quantity of pesticides – known as the maximum residue limit (MRL) – as compared to what was allowed earlier.
The Deccan Herald report also finds that 20 products had 2-chloroethanol, a toxic byproduct of ethylene oxide. “Ochratoxin A, a banned mycotoxin, was found in 10 products, including chillies, coffee and rice,” it said.
Earlier, in April, news that spice mixes exported by Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) Pvt Ltd and Everest were banned in Singapore and Hong Kong, had made ripples. It was also reported that the United States customs authorities had refused 31% of all spice-related shipments from MDH, citing salmonella contamination in the last six months.
The latest report notes that salmonella was found in “organic shatavari, ashwagandha and sesame seeds among 100 other products.”
