Post spices controversy, FSSAI cancels manufacturing licences of 111 spice firms
₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore can apply for FSSAI state licence. But for exports, spice manufacturers would need an FSSAI central licence. India cultivates a wide variety of spices, including black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, ginger, and more.
Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana are some of the states renowned for spice production. According to Expert Market Research's website, the Indian spices market size reached a value of ₹86,930 crore in 2023, and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% to reach around ₹1,91,945 crore by 2032. Earlier this year, prominent India spice makers MDH and Everest came under the scanner in overseas markets including the US, Hong Kong and Singapore owing to quality concerns.
The health authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong said they found ethylene oxide in these masalas above the acceptable limits. MDH had stated in an official statement in April, “We reassure our buyers and consumers that we do not use ethylene oxide at any stage of storing, processing, or packing our spices." It further stated that India's FSSAI and Spices Board have not received any communication or test report from authorities in Hong Kong or Singapore. Hence, the allegations against MDH are baseless, unsubstantiated, and not backed by any concrete evidence, it added.
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