The qualities of popular store-bought masalas (spices) have been under scrutiny ever since the MDH-Everest controversy in April, 2024.

Hong Kong and Singapore had placed four masalas from MDH and Everest under the scanner for containing ethylene oxide, a carcinogen.

Since then, food safety regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) has been conducting quality checks on various spice brands.

FSSAI has revoked the manufacturing licences of 111 spice producers over the past month.

However, it didn’t find ethylene oxide in MDH and Everest masalas, according to a Times of India report.

Here’s a guide on how you can safeguard yourself and be aware of what you consume.

In an earlier conversation with The Better India, Revant Himatsingka, a nutrition consultant who goes by ‘foodpharmer’ on Instagram, had highlighted a few important points to keep in mind while reading food labels:

1. Avoid products that have complicated ingredients

“If you can’t recognise or pronounce ingredients in a product, it’s not good for you. Buy the product in which you can understand the ingredient,” he says.

2. Ingredients are listed in order of their weight

“The first ingredient is the one that is present the most in the packet. So if you’re buying biscuits, the first three ingredients usually will be maida (refined wheat flour), palm oil and sugar,” Revant says.

3. Buy items that have less than five ingredients

“Try to stay away from products that have more than five ingredients. As the ingredient list increases, it’s inversely proportional to the nutritional benefits.”

4. Go for homemade/natural food

“Ultimately, the healthiest foods are the ones without any labels,” he adds.