The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a recall for Everest Cumin Powder batch E080668761 after finding Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam pesticide residues above permitted limits. According to Dr. Tandon from FSSAI, Thiamethoxam belongs to the neonicotinoid group of insecticides, while Azoxystrobin is a fungicide. The presence of these pesticides above the prescribed limit does not automatically establish that consumers will experience symptoms, but repeated or higher exposure is more concerning. Dr. Tandon emphasizes that consumers should not assume that headaches, nausea or other nonspecific symptoms are necessarily caused by the spice, and if anyone develops significant or persistent symptoms after suspected pesticide exposure, they should seek medical advice.
According to reports from NDTV Profit, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation recorded 3,924 rejection observations for Indian agricultural and food exports in 2024. Labelling accounts for slightly less than one-third of these rejections, while pesticide residues account for more than one-fifth. Together, these two issues make up more than half of all rejection observations, with mislabelling causing more rejections than pesticide residues. The data reveals that food products can meet safety standards but still fail at borders due to non-compliant labels.
As reported by NDTV Profit, a recent analysis by Gunjan Bhandari, Udita Chaudhary and Subhasis Mandal of Indian dairy, egg and honey exports to the US and Australia found 344 recorded rejections between 2010 and 2024. Around 57% were related to labelling, including missing allergen declarations, incorrect product descriptions, nutrition information and claims. The problem is particularly visible in processed foods, where an allergen may be missing or a health or nutrition claim may not be permitted. According to Ashwin Bhadri, founder and CEO of Mumbai-based Equinox Labs, most companies treat compliance as something to check at the end rather than embedding it in all processes from the beginning.
According to NDTV Profit reports, pesticide residue observations are heavily concentrated in specific product categories, with coffee, tea and spices, milling products and vegetables accounting for about 81% of all pesticide-residue observations. The rejection data shows that residue problems begin much earlier, at the farm level, where farmers may not always make decisions based on formal agricultural advice. Studies have found that pesticide retailers become quasi-advisors and an important source of information for farmers. As Bhadri explains, you cannot control pesticide residues at the export warehouse, making both farmers and pesticide sellers need better training.
From a consumer perspective, checking the label is one of the simplest precautions when using packaged spices. According to Dr. Tandon, consumers should check the brand, batch or lot number, manufacturing and best-before dates, FSSAI licence details, and the integrity of the packaging. Avoid damaged, tampered, or poorly sealed packets. When it comes to powdered spices, adulteration is another major concern beyond pesticide residues. The actual risk depends on the concentration, quantity consumed, frequency of exposure, and the person's age and body weight, with children and people with vulnerabilities warranting particular caution because dietary exposure is assessed by body weight.
