US rejected about 1/3rd of MDH’s spices from India in last 6 months

Rejection of Indian Spice Exports Due to Salmonella Contamination- What is Going On ?

Introduction:
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the rejection of Indian spice exports, particularly by MDH Pvt Ltd, due to salmonella contamination. This situation has sparked concerns about the safety and quality of Indian spices in the global market, due to which US rejected 31% of MDH exports.

Key Points:

• MDH Exports Rejected: US customs rejected 31% of all MDH spice shipments in the last six months, compared to 15% in the previous year, because of salmonella contamination.

• Total Rejection Rate for Indian Food Exports: Between US FY20 and FY23, India's food exports faced a rejection rate of 0.15%, with spices being a major category.
• Comparison with Other Countries: India's rejection rate is higher than China (0.022%) and Mexico (0.025%).
• Salmonella a Major Factor: A 2022 study by the US Department of Agriculture found that India had the most pathogen-related violations for food imports into the US between 2002-2019.
• Trend in Rejection Rates: The number of food export rejections from India has been decreasing over the last decade, from 1,591 refusals in US FY15 to 1,033 in FY23.

What is Salmonella Contamination ?


• Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
• Contamination usually occurs through consumption of contaminated food or water.
• Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Other Information:

• The rejection of MDH spice exports has raised questions about the hygiene practices in Indian spice manufacturing.
• The high rejection rate for MDH spices suggests potential issues with their quality control measures.
• Consumption of salmonella-contaminated foods can lead to severe stomach infections, highlighting the health risks involved.

Regulatory Response:

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is conducting tests on powdered spices from various brands, including MDH and Everest.
• The Spices Board is investigating the facilities of MDH and Everest to ensure compliance with quality standards.

MDH मसालों में मिले टायफायड वाले बैक्टीरिया, अमेरिका ने रद्द किए MDH के 31% शिपमेंट #MDH | Indian Spices | #IndianSpices pic.twitter.com/9dqV0ZLbLK

— News24 (@news24tvchannel) April 29, 2024

Additional Information :

• Other brands, such as Ramdev Foods and MTR Foods, have also faced rejections, primarily because of salmonella contamination.
• It is unclear what happens to the rejected shipments, whether they are destroyed or re-exported.
• This situation emphasizes the need for stricter food safety regulations and their effective implementation in India.

Overview :
While the rejection rate of Indian food exports is relatively low, immediate action is needed to address the current concerns. It is crucial to ensure consumer safety and uphold the reputation of Indian spices worldwide. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene and quality control in the spice manufacturing industry.