India's food safety regulator cracked down on two businesses on Sunday, ordering a market-wide recall of a batch of Everest pre-packed cumin powder after laboratory tests found it unsafe, and suspending the licence of a West Bengal-based bakery over serious hygiene violations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said a regulatory sample of Everest's pre-packed cumin powder was drawn from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes in Goa. The Food Analyst's report found pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam at levels exceeding the prescribed maximum limits, and declared the sample "unsafe" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Recall follows failed appeal
The company was given the opportunity to challenge the finding, after which the sample was sent to a Referral Food Laboratory. That laboratory confirmed the result, again finding both pesticides above the permitted limits. FSSAI then directed the entire affected batch, identified as Batch No. E080668761, to be withdrawn from the market immediately, and ordered Everest to maintain complete records of the recalled product and file recall status reports on time.
The regulator also directed the company to take corrective steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Bakery licence suspended
In a separate action, FSSAI suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd with immediate effect after an inspection of its manufacturing facility revealed what the regulator called severe hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. Inspectors found dirt, grease, dust, cobwebs and flies in food production and handling areas, with perishable raw materials stored openly and rusted containers used for raw and semi-finished products.
The inspection also noted pest infestation with ineffective fly control, no proper rodent control, and openings without insect-proof mesh. Waste, old stock, rejected lots and scrap were found accumulated in food-handling areas, alongside rusting equipment, flaking paint, dampness and broken floor tiles. The company was ordered to cease all food business activities during the suspension period.
The regulator said it has stepped up enforcement actions over the past six months and communicates them through its official social media handles. The action comes a day after FSSAI flagged a Nestle India dairy whitener sample collected from a Delhi hotel as unsafe and substandard.
Sources:
- FSSAI recalls Everest cumin powder over 'unsafe' pesticide levels, suspends Creative Bakers' licence (Hindustan Times): https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-sugarr-and-spice-bakery-101791111407870.html
- FSSAI suspends Creative Bakers licence over severe hygiene lapses (Business Standard): https://www.business-standard.com/i...ver-severe-hygiene-lapses-126100400360_1.html
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said a regulatory sample of Everest's pre-packed cumin powder was drawn from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes in Goa. The Food Analyst's report found pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam at levels exceeding the prescribed maximum limits, and declared the sample "unsafe" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Recall follows failed appeal
The company was given the opportunity to challenge the finding, after which the sample was sent to a Referral Food Laboratory. That laboratory confirmed the result, again finding both pesticides above the permitted limits. FSSAI then directed the entire affected batch, identified as Batch No. E080668761, to be withdrawn from the market immediately, and ordered Everest to maintain complete records of the recalled product and file recall status reports on time.
The regulator also directed the company to take corrective steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Bakery licence suspended
In a separate action, FSSAI suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd with immediate effect after an inspection of its manufacturing facility revealed what the regulator called severe hygiene and sanitation deficiencies. Inspectors found dirt, grease, dust, cobwebs and flies in food production and handling areas, with perishable raw materials stored openly and rusted containers used for raw and semi-finished products.
The inspection also noted pest infestation with ineffective fly control, no proper rodent control, and openings without insect-proof mesh. Waste, old stock, rejected lots and scrap were found accumulated in food-handling areas, alongside rusting equipment, flaking paint, dampness and broken floor tiles. The company was ordered to cease all food business activities during the suspension period.
The regulator said it has stepped up enforcement actions over the past six months and communicates them through its official social media handles. The action comes a day after FSSAI flagged a Nestle India dairy whitener sample collected from a Delhi hotel as unsafe and substandard.
Sources:
- FSSAI recalls Everest cumin powder over 'unsafe' pesticide levels, suspends Creative Bakers' licence (Hindustan Times): https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...-sugarr-and-spice-bakery-101791111407870.html
- FSSAI suspends Creative Bakers licence over severe hygiene lapses (Business Standard): https://www.business-standard.com/i...ver-severe-hygiene-lapses-126100400360_1.html
