The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted inspections, sampling, and testing of mixed spice blends after Hong Kong suspended sales of some blends of the MDH and Everest brands in April over high levels of a pesticide.

The UK then tightened controls on all spice imports from India, while New Zealand, the US, and Australia have said they were looking into issues related to the brands.

MDH and Everest have said their products are safe for consumption. Their spices are among the most popular in India – the world’s biggest exporter, producer, and consumer of spices. They are sold in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The data, obtained by Reuters under India’s Right to Information Act, shows 474 of 4,054 samples tested between May and early July did not meet quality and safety parameters.

The safety agency told Reuters in a statement it did not have breakdowns by brands of the spices it tested but was taking necessary action against companies involved.

“Action on non-conforming samples has been taken as stipulated,” it said, referring to penalty provisions under Indian law, without elaborating.

Reuters open records request sought reports on all the samples that failed the tests, but the agency said such reports were unavailable.

India’s domestic spice market was valued at US$10.44 billion in 2022, according to Zion Market Research. Its exports of spices and spice products were a record US$4.46 billion in the fiscal year that ended in March.