Rajasthan govt begins recalling some batches of MDH and Everest spices

India's western state of Rajasthan has started recalling some batches of popular MDH and Everest spices, which were found to be unsafe for consumption, a top official said, the latest in growing domestic and global scrutiny of the brands. Rajasthan told the federal government in a letter it found a batch of Everest's cumin powder and a batch each of two MDH spice blends unsafe after tests, Reuters reported on Thursday.Those batches are now being recalled, senior state health official Shubhra Singh said. The action is the most stringent move from an Indian authority after Hong Kong in April suspended sales of three spice blends produced by MDH and one by Everest, saying they contained high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide ethylene oxide, triggering scrutiny by regulators globally. MDH and Everest, whose spices are among the most popular in India and are also sold in Europe, Asia and North America, have said their products are safe for consumption.