Indian spices, known for their diverse flavors and vibrant colors, are facing safety concerns on the global stage. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US have halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest due to suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. The European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia have also launched investigations. This is not the first time Indian spices have been found to be contaminated, with previous instances of lead contamination and adulteration. The safety of Indian spices is now being questioned, and the government has instructed quality tests and issued guidelines to exporters.

MDH and Everest are popular and trusted brands in India, with MDH being a 105-year-old family-run firm and Everest claiming to be India’s largest manufacturer of spices. The government has taken steps to address the issue, with quality tests being conducted and guidelines issued. However, there are concerns about the decline in India’s image as a spice exporter and the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination. The recent quality concerns could threaten half of India’s spice exports, according to a think tank report.

Transparency, stringent enforcement, and clear communication are necessary to safeguard the integrity of India’s spice exports. Experts suggest that India needs to fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety. For consumers in the West, the origin of spices in their food remains unclear, highlighting the need for greater awareness and transparency in the supply chain. Ultimately, India must prioritize food safety to maintain its position as a global spice powerhouse.

Original news source: Indian spices face heat over global safety concerns (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article and then write a summary of the main points. They should focus on the safety concerns surrounding Indian spices and the potential impact on India’s spice exports. Afterward, they can share their summaries with a partner or in small groups.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will brainstorm the pros of continuing to import Indian spices, while the other group will brainstorm the cons. Each group can then present their arguments to the class, discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of continuing to consume Indian spices in light of the safety concerns.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the safety concerns surrounding Indian spices, such as “I would still buy Indian spices despite the safety concerns” or “I think the government should do more to regulate spice production.” Have students indicate whether they agree or disagree with each statement, and then discuss their opinions in pairs or small groups.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Assign each student a different aspect of the article, such as the safety concerns, the impact on India’s spice exports, or the need for greater transparency. Students should then create a visual representation of their assigned topic, using drawings, symbols, and labels. Afterward, students can explain their sketches to the class and engage in a discussion about the different aspects of the article.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what the future holds for Indian spices in light of the safety concerns. They should consider potential actions the government could take, the impact on the spice industry, and the response from consumers. Students can write short paragraphs or participate in a group discussion, sharing their predictions and reasoning.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why have Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest?
2. Which other countries have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices?
3. What are some previous instances of contamination that Indian spices have faced?
4. How long has MDH been in operation?
5. What steps has the Indian government taken to address the safety concerns with Indian spices?
6. What are the potential consequences of the recent quality concerns for India’s spice exports?
7. What are some suggestions from experts on how India can improve its approach to food safety?
8. Why is transparency and clear communication important for safeguarding the integrity of India’s spice exports?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Indian spices, known for their diverse flavors and vibrant colors, are facing safety concerns on the global stage. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US have halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and (1)______ due to suspected (2)______ levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. The European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia have also launched (3)______. This is not the (4)______ time Indian spices have been found to be (5)______, with previous instances of lead contamination and adulteration. The (6)______ of (7)______ spices is now being questioned, and the government has instructed quality tests and issued guidelines to exporters.

MDH and Everest are popular and trusted brands in (8)______, with MDH being a 105-year-old family-run firm and Everest claiming to be India’s largest manufacturer of spices. The government has (9)______ steps to address the issue, with quality tests being conducted and guidelines (10)______. However, there are concerns about the decline in India’s image as a spice exporter and the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination. The recent quality concerns could threaten half of India’s spice exports, according to a (11)______ tank (12)______.

Transparency, stringent enforcement, and clear communication are necessary to safeguard the integrity of India’s (13)______ exports. Experts suggest that India needs to fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety. For consumers in the West, the origin of spices in their food (14)______ unclear, highlighting the need for greater awareness and (15)______ in the supply chain. Ultimately, India must prioritize food safety to (16)______ its position as a global spice powerhouse.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your favorite Indian spice and why?
2. How would you feel if you found out that the spices you regularly use were contaminated?
3. Do you think the government is doing enough to address the issue of contaminated spices in India? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had an experience with a food product being recalled or deemed unsafe? How did it affect your trust in that brand or product?
5. What steps do you think India should take to improve the safety of its spice exports?
6. Do you think the recent quality concerns will have a long-term impact on India’s spice exports? Why or why not?
7. How important is transparency in the food industry? Why?
8. Have you ever been concerned about the safety of the food you consume? Why or why not?
9. What do you think can be done to increase awareness and transparency in the supply chain of spices?
10. How would you feel if you found out that the spices in your food were not sourced from the country or region they claimed to be from?
11. Do you think consumers should be more involved in the regulation and testing of food safety? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever had an experience where a trusted brand or product was found to be unsafe? How did it affect your trust in that brand or product?
13. What role do you think the media plays in informing the public about food safety concerns?
14. How important is it for a country to maintain its reputation as a global exporter of a particular product? Why?
15. Do you think stricter regulations and enforcement are necessary to ensure the safety of food products? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. vibrant
2. halted
3. elevated
4. contamination
5. adulteration
6. exporters
7. stringent
8. integrity
9. overhaul
10. fundamentally
11. safeguard
12. transparency
13. guidelines
14. decline
15. awareness

Meanings:
(A) A set of rules or instructions
(B) A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, or quality
(C) Stopped or brought to an end
(D) The presence of harmful substances
(E) In a basic and important way
(F) Strict and precise
(G) Openness and clarity in communication or actions
(H) Raised to a higher level
(I) To protect from harm or damage
(J) The act of making something impure by adding inferior materials
(K) People or companies that sell goods to other countries
(L) A thorough and complete change
(M) Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
(N) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
(O) Full of energy and life
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which countries have halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest?
(a) Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US
(b) Russia, Spain, and Germany
(c) France, Italy, and Japan
(d) China, South Korea, and Brazil

2. What is the main concern regarding Indian spices?
(a) Excessive lead contamination
(b) Suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide
(c) Adulteration with other substances
(d) Lack of vibrant colors and diverse flavors

3. How old is MDH, one of the Indian companies facing safety concerns?
(a) 50 years old
(b) 25 years old
(c) 10 years old
(d) 105 years old

4. Which company claims to be India’s largest manufacturer of spices?
(a) MDH
(b) Maldives
(c) Everest
(d) Bangladesh

5. Which countries have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices?
(a) Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US
(b) Russia, Spain, and Germany
(c) European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia
(d) China, South Korea, and Brazil

6. What actions has the Indian government taken to address the safety concerns?
(a) Halting spice exports completely
(b) Ignoring the issue and not taking any action
(c) Shutting down MDH and Everest companies
(d) Conducting quality tests and issuing guidelines

7. What could be the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination on India’s spice exports?
(a) Threatening half of India’s spice exports
(b) Increasing the demand for Indian spices
(c) Improving the reputation of Indian spices
(d) No impact on India’s spice exports

8. What do experts suggest India needs to do to safeguard the integrity of its spice exports?
(a) Increase the production of spices
(b) Fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety
(c) Decrease the transparency in the supply chain
(d) Ignore the safety concerns and continue exporting spices as usual

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Experts suggest that India needs to fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety to safeguard the integrity of its spice exports.
2. The government of India has instructed quality tests and issued guidelines to exporters in response to the safety concerns.
3. MDH and Everest are unpopular and untrusted brands in India, with MDH being a newly established firm and Everest claiming to be India’s smallest manufacturer of spices.
4. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US have resumed sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest despite suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
5. There are no concerns about the decline in India’s image as a spice exporter and the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination.
6. The recent quality concerns could threaten half of India’s spice exports, according to a think tank report.
7. This is the first time Indian spices have been found to be contaminated, with no previous instances of lead contamination and adulteration.
8. The European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why have Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest?
2. Which countries have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices?
3. How long has MDH been in operation and what is its reputation in India?
4. What steps has the Indian government taken to address the issue of contaminated spices?
5. According to a think tank report, what percentage of India’s spice exports could be threatened by the recent quality concerns?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US have halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest due to suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

2. The European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia have also launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices.

3. Previous instances of contamination that Indian spices have faced include lead contamination and adulteration.

4. MDH has been in operation for 105 years.

5. The Indian government has conducted quality tests and issued guidelines to address the safety concerns with Indian spices.

6. The recent quality concerns could threaten half of India’s spice exports, according to a think tank report.

7. Experts suggest that India needs to fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety, focusing on transparency, stringent enforcement, and clear communication.

8. Transparency and clear communication are important for safeguarding the integrity of India’s spice exports because it helps build trust with consumers and ensures that they are aware of the origin and safety of the spices in their food.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Everest
(2) elevated
(3) investigations
(4) first
(5) contaminated
(6) safety
(7) Indian
(8) India
(9) taken
(10) issued
(11) think
(12) report
(13) spice
(14) remains
(15) transparency
(16) maintain
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. vibrant
Answer: (O) Full of energy and life

2. halted
Answer: (C) Stopped or brought to an end

3. elevated
Answer: (H) Raised to a higher level

4. contamination
Answer: (D) The presence of harmful substances

5. adulteration
Answer: (J) The act of making something impure by adding inferior materials

6. exporters
Answer: (K) People or companies that sell goods to other countries

7. stringent
Answer: (F) Strict and precise

8. integrity
Answer: (N) The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles

9. overhaul
Answer: (L) A thorough and complete change

10. fundamentally
Answer: (E) In a basic and important way

11. safeguard
Answer: (I) To protect from harm or damage

12. transparency
Answer: (G) Openness and clarity in communication or actions

13. guidelines
Answer: (A) A set of rules or instructions

14. decline
Answer: (B) A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, or quality

15. awareness
Answer: (M) Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which countries have halted sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest?
Answer: (a) Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US

2. What is the main concern regarding Indian spices?
Answer: (b) Suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide

3. How old is MDH, one of the Indian companies facing safety concerns?
Answer: (d) 105 years old

4. Which company claims to be India’s largest manufacturer of spices?
Answer: (c) Everest

5. Which countries have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices?
Answer: (c) European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia

6. What actions has the Indian government taken to address the safety concerns?
Answer: (d) Conducting quality tests and issuing guidelines

7. What could be the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination on India’s spice exports?
Answer: (a) Threatening half of India’s spice exports

8. What do experts suggest India needs to do to safeguard the integrity of its spice exports?
Answer: (b) Fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Experts suggest that India needs to fundamentally overhaul its approach to food safety to safeguard the integrity of its spice exports. (Answer: True)
2. The government of India has instructed quality tests and issued guidelines to exporters in response to the safety concerns. (Answer: True)
3. MDH and Everest are unpopular and untrusted brands in India, with MDH being a newly established firm and Everest claiming to be India’s smallest manufacturer of spices. (Answer: False)
4. Singapore, Hong Kong, and the US have resumed sales of spices produced by Indian companies MDH and Everest despite suspected elevated levels of a cancer-causing pesticide. (Answer: False)
5. There are no concerns about the decline in India’s image as a spice exporter and the long-term effects of repeated cases of contamination. (Answer: False)
6. The recent quality concerns could threaten half of India’s spice exports, according to a think tank report. (Answer: True)
7. This is the first time Indian spices have been found to be contaminated, with no previous instances of lead contamination and adulteration. (Answer: False)
8. The European Union, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Australia have launched investigations into the safety of Indian spices. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧