- Although essential to Indian savory cuisine spices can also be harmful and cause health problems.
- Following a raid in northeast Delhi, Delhi Police confiscated 15 tonnes of counterfeit spices.
- These spices were manufactured from rotting leaves, rice, damaged millets, wood dust, chili heads, acids, and inferior oils.
Although essential to Indian savory cuisine, spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric can also be harmful and cause health problems.
Everest Food Products Pvt. and MDH have recently been prohibited from being sold in Hong Kong and Singapore due to the discovery of the carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice blends.
Fake Masala
Following a raid at two facilities in the Karawal Nagar district of north-east Delhi, Delhi Police confiscated 15 tonnes of counterfeit spices, comprising turmeric powder, coriander powder, and other ingredients.
The phony spices were offered to local marketplaces and sellers for the same price as the real thing and were manufactured from rotting leaves, rice, damaged millets, wood dust, chili heads, acids, and inferior oils.
Information concerning manufacturers and retailers in northeast Delhi engaged in the production and marketing of tampered spices under different names was sent to the police. A second processing plant was found on Kali Khata Road in Karawal Nagar as a result of additional investigations.
Following notification, inspections, sample collection, and case registration by applicable legal provisions were carried out by the Department of Food & Safety. The three accused individuals, Khurseed Malik (42) and Sarfaraj (32) who own the units, and Dilip Singh (46), have been placed under custody.
To verify if spices are adulterated at home, the FSSAI has shared videos on social media. One method is to squeeze the berries with your finger to determine if black pepper is adulterated.