JAIPUR: Prominent spice brands failed quality tests conducted by the Rajasthan health department as part of the state's campaign against food adulteration, with samples from reputed Indian companies - such as MDH, Everest, Gajanand, Shyam, and Sheeba Taza - found unfit for consumption.

State health minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar has directed stringent action against these companies under Indian Food Safety and Standards Act, including the immediate confiscation of the unsafe spices. MDH's garam masala contained acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid while its vegetable masala and chana masala had tricyclazole and profenofos.

Shyam's garam masala contained acetamiprid, Sheeba Taza's raita masala had thiamethoxam and acetamiprid, Gajanand's pickle masala had ethion, and Everest's cumin masala contained azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam.

The health department investigation revealed that pesticide/insecticide levels in these spices were significantly higher than permissible limits, posing serious health risks.

A targeted operation was launched on May 8 to gather spice samples from all districts in the state. During this drive, 93 samples from various companies were collected. A report by the State Central Public Health Laboratory