Detergent in milk, pesticide in raisins, cattle bran in biscuits: FSSAI files prosecution against Priyagold biscuits, two others

PTC Web Desk:  The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has started legal proceedings against three food companies for serious food safety violations. The companies are Surya Food & Agro, which sells Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy Ltd and Ueir Organic Foods Pvt Ltd.

The regulator shared the details in a social media post on Saturday.

Cattle feed bran found in Priyagold biscuits

FSSAI inspected the Surya Food & Agro facility after receiving a consumer complaint. Officials found that bran meant for cattle feed was being used as a source of fibre in the biscuits. The gunny bags carried markings saying the material was for cattle feed and not for human use.

The inspection also showed poor standards in several other areas, including plant hygiene, pest control, storage and separation of raw materials, personal hygiene of workers, upkeep of the premises and handling of intermediate mixtures.

FSSAI had already suspended the company’s licence after the inspection. It has now moved ahead with prosecution.

Dodla Dairy’s full cream milk failed tests

A sample of Dodla Dairy’s full cream milk was collected for testing. The food analyst declared it substandard because the milk fat was below the prescribed level.

The company appealed and the sample was sent to a Referral Food Laboratory. The lab went further and found the milk unsafe, saying it contained detergent or caustic soda, besides having low milk fat.

These findings are violations under the FSS Act, 2006. The competent authority has approved prosecution against Dodla Dairy and the other food business operators linked to making and selling the product.

Pesticide residue in Ueir Organic’s raisins

In the third case, a sample of yellow raisins sold by Ueir Organic Foods was found unsafe by the food analyst because pesticide residues crossed the permitted limits.

The company appealed here too. The referral lab confirmed the result and named the chemicals as Thiamethoxam and Fluopyram metabolites, both above the maximum allowed levels. As the violation is punishable under the FSS Act, 2006, FSSAI has sanctioned prosecution against the company.

Notices to other firms

FSSAI has also sent notices to Sun Ridges Health Carers and Narpadham Foods for not following rules on storage, hygiene and sanitation.

Another notice has gone to Sha Kantilal and Jayantilal. The regulator wants to know about its business activities and why its licensed premises were found closed during inspection.

Stricter enforcement in recent months

Over the last six months, FSSAI has increased action against food business operators and e-commerce companies. It is also using social media to inform the public about such cases.

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