A Tweet by user Dr Muhammad Kamran (@DrMKamran81) showed a letter by Ideal Food Traders listing out multiple masalas by Shan.

The user’s caption added fuel to the fire, as he wrote “In Germany following Shan products have been banned. They have found Ethylene Oxide in them.”.

“Ethylene oxide is disinfectant & fumigant used to combat bacteria, viruses & fungi. It can alter the genetic material, cause cancer & is banned from food production in Europe.”

The post went viral and was also retweeted by Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir.

However, the claim about products being banned is false and alot of the confusion seems to have stemmed from the fact that the letter’s contents are in German.

The claim that the letter mentions a ban does not seem to carry weight since it has been issued by a private trading group and not by a governmental authority.

Secondly, a sentence below the list of masalas adds that the items are being highlighted for a recall, not a ban.

“Diese produkte durfen nicht verkauft werden, da diese, ihre gensundheit beeintrachtigen konnen. Diese produkte DRINGEND aus dem verkauf nehmen, und zur ruckgabe an uns sicherstellen,” the letter reads.

A simple check through Google translate shows that this means

“These products may not be sold as they can impair your health. URGENTLY withdraw these products from sale and ensure they are returned to us.”

The letter does not mention any disinfectants or any other toxic substances mentioned by the user who posted it.

Many people said in reponse to the Tweet as well that the letter only signified a batch recall, which was a routine matter in trading operations.