MDH spices in the United States might have a harder time finding their favorite brand on store shelves lately. According to a recent report, U.S. customs authorities have been rejecting a significant number of spice shipments from the Indian company Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) in the past six months.
The reason for the rejections? Concerns about salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, leading to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever.
The report states that U.S. customs rejected a whopping 31% of all MDH spice shipments since October 2023. This is a big jump compared to the previous year, where the rejection rate was only 15%.
What’s Going On?
This news comes amidst other concerns surrounding Indian spice exports. Some countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong, have reportedly banned certain products from MDH and another popular brand, Everest, due to possible pesticide contamination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of the situation and is currently gathering more information about MDH and Everest products.
What This Means for Consumers
For now, there haven’t been any reports of illnesses linked to MDH spices in the United States. However, the high rejection rate by U.S. customs suggests there might be some issues with MDH’s food safety procedures.
Here’s what this means for consumers:
- Availability: You might have trouble finding your favorite MDH spices in some stores due to the rejections.
- Peace of Mind: If you’re concerned about salmonella, you might want to choose a different brand of spices until the situation is resolved.
What Happens Next?
It’s still unclear what will happen next. Here are some possibilities:
- MDH improves its food safety procedures: This would likely involve stricter testing and quality control measures to ensure their spices are free of salmonella.
- The FDA takes action: The FDA could potentially issue a recall of MDH products if they find evidence of widespread contamination.
- The situation continues: The rejections by U.S. customs could continue if MDH doesn’t address the salmonella concerns.
What You Can Do
As a consumer, you can:
- Stay informed: Keep an eye out for further news about MDH and the FDA investigation.
- Choose carefully: If you’re concerned about salmonella, opt for another brand of spices until the situation is resolved.
- Practice safe food handling: Always follow proper storage and cooking instructions for spices to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.
