“Indian Spices” in News

“Indian Spices” in News

GS-3: Indian Economy

(IAS/UPPCS)

Relevant for Prelims:

Indian Spices Board, Ethylene Oxide, Cancer, Salmonella, Typhoid and Diarrhoea.

Relevant for Mains:

Indian Spices, Issues, Indian Spices Scenario, Challenges, Way Forward, Conclusion.

07/05/2024

Source: TH

Why in news:

Indian spices have been in the news recently due to confirmed cancer causing factors and affected quality.

What's the issue?

  • Hong Kong and Singapore banned the sale of popular Indian brands MDH and Everest spices after the detection of carcinogenic chemical ethylene oxide in their products.
  • After the ban, at least five countries including America are investigating Indian spices.

Confirmation of toxic chemicals:

Ethylene Oxide:

  • It is alleged that the amount of poisonous chemical ethylene oxide in Indian spices exceeds the prescribed limit.
  • Ethylene oxide is used as a food stabilizer in spices. But, if it is consumed more than the prescribed limit for a long time, the risk of developing a fatal disease like cancer increases.

Salmonella:

  • According to America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella is present in at least 30 spice products of India.
  • Salmonella is a bacteria that can attack the human intestines and cause serious diseases like typhoid and diarrhea.
  • Salmonella bacteria are usually found in eggs, beef and raw chicken. But, sometimes it also makes fruits, vegetables and intestines of humans its home. This bacteria is also spread by snakes, turtles and lizards.

Impact of the Ban:

  • Other products like protein drinks, fruit juices, health drinks and imported Nestlé Baby items are also likely to come under the scanner due to this controversy.
  • This controversy has not only drawn worldwide attention to the shortcomings of product companies, but has also raised health concerns among consumers.

Response of Indian Spices Board:

  • In response, the Spices Board of India has seriously started mandatory testing of products sent abroad to maintain the demand for Indian spice products in foreign markets.
  • It is noteworthy that there is a ban on the use of ethylene oxide in food items in India. As per the claims made by MDH and Everest companies, none of the products contain any harmful ingredients. And their products are exported only after getting all the necessary approvals from the government.

Indian Spice Industry Scenario:

  • India is the world's largest producer of spices and is also the largest consumer and exporter of spices.

Production:

  • The production of various spices is increasing rapidly in the last few years.
  • Production in 2022-23 stood at 11.14 million tonnes as compared to 11.12 million tonnes in 2021-22.
  • During 2022-23, spices exports from India increased to US$ 3.73 billion from US$ 3.46 billion in 2021-22.
  • India produces about 75 of the 109 varieties listed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Most produced and exported spices:

  • Black pepper, cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, nutmeg and mace, curry powder, spice oil and oleoresin.
  • Of these spices, chilli, cumin, turmeric, ginger and coriander constitute about 76% of the total production.

Spice producing states:

  • Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Export:

  • In 2023-24, India's spice exports totaled $4.25 billion, accounting for 12% of global spice exports.
  • India exports spices and spice products to 159 destinations across the world by 2023-24 (by February 2024).
  • The top destinations among them were China, US, Bangladesh, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK and Sri Lanka. These nine destinations accounted for more than 70% of the total export earnings in 2023-24 (till February 2024).

About Indian Spices Board:

  • It is the premier organization for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices. It was established by the Spices Board Act, 1986.
  • It acts as a link between Indian exporters and importers abroad.

Export development and promotion of spices:

  • Its objective is to assist the exporter in adopting high-tech processing technologies and upgrading the existing level of technology for the growth of the industry and to meet the changing food safety standards of the importing countries.

Establishment and Maintenance of Spice Processing Park:

  • The Spices Board has started eight crop-specific Spice Parks in major production/market centers with the objective of facilitating better price realization and wider access to farmers for their produce.

Challenges facing the Indian spice industry:

  • Indian spice traders and producers are facing challenges like food safety, sustainability and traceability.

Operational:

  • India's diverse food landscape, lack of standardized recordkeeping and deliberate food fraud can prevent manufacturers from efficiently tracing ingredients and assessing potential risks, compromising the safety of the entire food supply chain.

Lack of lab for product testing:

  • There are only 9 labs in the country to measure the quality of the spice industry worth thousands of crores. If India's share in America's canceled imported food items is about 23 percent, then a major reason for this is the lack of labs.
  • At least 10 States/UTs lack government or private notified food testing laboratories, as mandated under the FSS Act.
  • These laboratories are unevenly distributed in different areas; There are inadequate numbers of food safety officers; And were found to be functioning ineffectively due to lack of resources.

Lack of transparency and accountability:

  • Absent accountability and consequences often means that enforcement agencies fail to punish unscrupulous food operators
  • Under Section 59 of the FSS Act, food businesses found guilty of selling, storing or manufacturing substandard food items can face a fine of ₹3 lakh and a jail term of three months.
  • There is often a lack of transparency in FSSAI's operations, which hinders "efforts to meet safety standards", accountability and building trust
  • Surveys identifying contamination in products such as milk and jaggery have not resulted in the widespread practice of adulteration being addressed positively.

Way forward:

  • India must address the quality issue with respect to its spice exports with urgency and transparency otherwise quality concerns could jeopardize more than half of the country's spice shipments.
  • There is a need for strict regulatory measures and transparency in food production and safety industry standards.
  • To restore global confidence in Indian spices, prompt investigation and publication of findings should be done.
  • There should be a commitment to proactive monitoring and enforcement rather than reactive response to individual incidents.

Conclusion:

  • India has been known across the world as a 'Masala King' for centuries, hence the Indian Commerce Ministry and the Spices Board need to take strategic steps to maintain this image. However, India still remains at the top position in the production and export of spices.

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Mains Exam Question:

Discuss the way forward to address the challenges related to Indian spice processing and export in the light of Indian spice industry scenario.