A new controversy has arisen surrounding Everest Spices, a popular brand offering a variety of Indian spice products, when it was revealed that many of the products from Everest Spices did not pass laboratory tests for quality assurance. Specifically, it was reported that some of the Everest brand spices that were purchased as samples had higher than allowable levels of pesticide residue or microbiological contamination that raised significant alarms regarding food safety.
Consumers and certain health care professionals raised red flags regarding the safety of consuming any Everest product following an independent group testing numerous Everest spices discovered and published lab findings online that generated significant discussion related to the safety of consuming any Everest branded product.
The results of four Everest Spice products, Garam Masala, Kitchen King Masala, Kashmiri Lal Chilli Powder and Meat Masala were also included in the public laboratory test results. Allegedly, lab findings demonstrate that the products tested contained varying forms of either pesticide or microbiological contamination that exceeded allowable safety limits.
Pesticides Found Above Permissible Limits
In the laboratory report to Everest, multiple pesticides were found in excess of their allowable limits in several of the spice samples. Laboratory tests showed that Everest Garam Masala contained quantites of acetamiprid and azoxystrobin pesticides above the safe levels. Likewise, Kitchen King Masala was determined to be contaminated with thiamethoxam and carbendazim far exceeding the allowable guidelines.
Everest Masala Meat is concerned because it contains multiple pesticides, including ethion, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin, and fluopyram, at concentrations that exceed allowable levels. Kashmir Red Chilli Powder was not found to have pesticide concentrations above the allowable limits, but it contained the presence of other contaminating substances.
Experts are cautioning that eating food with high levels of pesticide residues over time can negatively affect the health of the person consuming the food. These chemicals accumulate over time within the body and may result in organ damage (e.g., liver and intestines) for those who are most susceptible (e.g., children and the elderly).
Furthermore, these products were found to have high levels of bacteria (e.g., Enterobacteriaceae). Enterobacteriaceae consists of bacteria that can contaminate food and cause foodborne illness (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella).
Health care professionals cite the presence of Enterobacteriaceae in food products as evidence of a lapse in hygiene during production or storage. Inadequate cleaning procedures for raw product, insufficient drying of spices, or contamination during packing and handling can allow the growth of bacteria.
Food contaminated with harmful bacteria can bring about signs of food poisoning, such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and/or severe cases of infections needing medical attention.
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Global Scrutiny on Indian Spice Brands
Everest Spices is in the news due to a general increase in interest about Indian Spice Sales abroad. In 2024, Hong Kong and Singapore food regulators had recalled or suspended specific Indian spice products from large Indian brands because they found pesticides (like ethylene oxide) in them. After this incident occurred, other governments (such as the UK, New Zealand, USA, and Australia) began testing Indian Spices more closely. The issue has opened up an international debate regarding the food safety in the spice sector.
India, as the leading producer as well as exporter of spice (to more than 180 countries), means that if specific brands have safety issues, then this will reflect negatively upon India’s exposure and reputation in the overall global spice marketplace.
Need for Stronger Quality Monitoring
Experts in food safety have stated that the recent controversy highlights the need for improved monitoring and quality assurance within the entire spice supply chain (from soil to shelf), with the potential exists for contamination at numerous points along this path. Potential contamination results can occur by means of agricultural chemical usage when the crops are being grown, by improper storage of raw material prior to processing, or from improper food safety practices during the actual manufacturing process.
Now, as a result of this incident, there will be greater pressure on both regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders to strengthen the testing process and to comply with applicable food safety regulations. The previous episode demonstrates once again the necessity of proper food quality checks and transparency within food supply chains that have been created within the food industry.
Ongoing investigations and discussions regarding the episode have created renewed interest in discussing regulation of food safety and creating greater oversight within India’s multi-billion dollar spice industry.
