The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sanctioned prosecution of three food manufacturers and issued compliance notices to three other food businesses over alleged violations that range from material unfit for human consumption and unsafe milk to excess pesticide residues, poor hygiene and licensing irregularities, Rajasree Singh reports for Rural Voice.
The regulator acted against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, maker of Priyagold biscuits, after an inspection prompted by consumer complaints reportedly found cattle-feed bran being used as a source of fibre. Inspectors found gunny bags marked for animal feed at the plant, along with lapses in hygiene, pest control and raw-material storage; the company's licence was suspended and prosecution started.
Prosecution was also sanctioned against Dodla Dairy Limited over its "Full Cream Milk". Initial laboratory analysis found it below the prescribed milk-fat standard, and the Referral Food Laboratory then reportedly confirmed contaminants identified as detergent or caustic soda, so the product was classed as both unsafe and substandard.
A third prosecution concerns Ueir Organic Foods Private Limited, whose "Yellow Raisins" were found to carry several pesticide residues above permissible limits, including thiamethoxam and fluopyram metabolites, raising questions about compliance with the residue rules that apply to organic products.
Notices went to Narpadham Foods (licence not displayed, cramped and dusty premises, no pest screening, no food-grade packaging certificates and unverified health claims on packs), Sun Ridges Health Carers (cereal stored on bare floors, poor sanitation, no water-testing or staff medical records) and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal, whose licensed premises were found closed. FSSAI warned that failure to comply within the deadlines could lead to suspension or cancellation of licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Source: Rural Voice
Comments
(0)