Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

India spice exports face sharp drop over ethylene oxide concerns

In 2023-24, India’s spice exports totaled £3.34 billion, accounting for 12 per cent of global spice exports.

India spice exports face sharp drop over ethylene oxide concerns

The Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) said on Friday that India's spice exports could decline by nearly 40 per cent in FY25 if the issue of ethylene oxide (EtO) contamination in export-bound spices is not resolved promptly. This follows the banning of popular brands MDH and Everest in Hong Kong and Singapore due to the detection of carcinogenic EtO, leading to a mandatory recall.

In 2023-24, India's spice exports totaled £3.34 billion, accounting for 12 per cent of global spice exports.


"Many exporters have orders that have been halted due to this issue. Our estimate suggests spice exports could be affected by 40 per cent this year if the problem is not resolved quickly," said Tejas Gandhi, Secretary of FISS, which represents nearly 600 spice traders, exporters, and farmers.

Addressing the media, FISS Chairman Ashwin Nayak said there is misinformation about EtO, which is widely used worldwide. "EtO is not a pesticide sprayed on crops. It is a gaseous agent used by approved organizations to control harmful microbiological and bacterial elements in spices, such as E. coli and aflatoxins. This technique is widely used globally," Nayak said.

"India's spice exports are valued at £3.15 billion. We urge the Indian government to take immediate steps to ensure that export shipments are not stopped due to myths about EtO treatment. We also urge the Spice Board to test samples from each shipment to meet every country's criteria," he added.

FISS Co-Chairman U Karthik noted that most countries have their own maximum residue limit (MRL) for EtO. For example, the US allows £5.51 ppm (parts per million), while the European Union allows £0.08 ppm. "EtO evaporates at 10 degrees centigrade and is not harmful to humans. It is also used for sterilizing medical equipment. While some countries have set an MRL limit, many have not. The Spice Board is contacting these countries to establish a limit," Karthik said.

Gandhi mentioned that the EtO issue is not as serious as portrayed in the media. "When Hong Kong has not set any MRL limit, how can they claim EtO exceeded the prescribed limit? Although steam sterilisation is an alternative to EtO, it is much more expensive. EtO costs Rs 3 per kg, while steam sterilization costs nearly Rs 15 per kg. Even the US has units that conduct EtO sterilisation for spices," he said.

(PTI)

More For You

India jewellery

The US accounts for nearly £7.6 billion, or 30.4 per cent, of India’s annual gems and jewellery exports.(Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India’s jewellery exports face decline as US tariffs hit

INDIA’s £24 billion gems and jewellery industry is preparing for a sharp decline in exports as the US imposes a 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods.

Industry officials said this would significantly affect sales to the US, India’s largest jewellery market.

Keep ReadingShow less
ronnie screwvala

Ronnie Screwvala’s rise to billionaire status is an inspiring story of vision

Getty

Ronnie Screwvala: From toothbrush seller to Bollywood's lone billionaire

The 2025 edition of the Forbes Billionaire List was released on Wednesday morning, showcasing the world's wealthiest individuals. The list features 3,028 billionaires globally, including 205 from India. Among these is Bollywood's only billionaire, Ronnie Screwvala, a media mogul whose journey from manufacturing toothbrushes to becoming a leading entrepreneur is nothing short of remarkable. With a net worth of $1.5 billion, Screwvala has surpassed the combined fortunes of Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.

Bollywood’s wealthiest man

Ronnie Screwvala stands as the richest person from the Hindi film industry, with a fortune exceeding that of its biggest icons. According to Forbes, his net worth of $1.5 billion surpasses the combined wealth of Shah Rukh Khan ($770 million), Salman Khan ($390 million), and Aamir Khan ($220 million), whose total stands at $1.38 billion. Additionally, he eclipses other notable figures such as Gulshan Kumar (approximately $900 million) and Aditya Chopra ($800 million). His financial success is a testament to his entrepreneurial acumen and strategic investments in both entertainment and education sectors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
Airbus bets on Indian supply
base to scale up production

Guillaume Faury

Airbus bets on Indian supply base to scale up production

AIRCRAFT maker Airbus plans to significantly ramp up its annual sourcing of components and services from India to reach $2 billion (£1.54bn) by 2030, its CEO Guillaume Faury has said.

Describing India as one of the most important markets for Airbus in terms of growth, Faury said the challenge for the aircraft maker is to support the speed of the growth of the aviation industry in India.

Keep ReadingShow less
nintendo switch 2

The new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations

Getty

Nintendo unveils Switch 2 - A new era for hybrid gaming begins

After months of speculation and cryptic teaser campaigns, Nintendo has officially announced the highly anticipated successor to its bestselling hybrid console. The Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch on 5 June, with a price tag of £395.99 for the base package and £429.99 for a bundle including Mario Kart World. With a range of hardware improvements, redesigned controllers, and an exciting lineup of games, the new console aims to build upon the success of its predecessor while introducing fresh innovations.

A Bigger, Sharper Display and 4K Support

One of the most noticeable upgrades in the Nintendo Switch 2 is its display. The console now features a larger 7.9-inch screen, boasting twice the pixel count of the original Switch and supporting full 1080p resolution. Additionally, the display is capable of up to 120 frames per second, ensuring smoother animations, while high dynamic range (HDR) enhances colour contrast for a richer visual experience. Despite these improvements, the Switch 2 maintains the same thickness as the original model, preserving its signature portable form factor.

Keep ReadingShow less