The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal proceedings against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, known for Priyagold biscuits, alongside Dodla Dairy Ltd and Ueir Organic Foods Pvt Ltd, for serious food safety violations. The regulatory body stated that it maintains a policy of zero tolerance for any food safety violations or compromises on public health under the FSS Act 2006.
In addition to launching legal action, the food safety regulator issued notices to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers, and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal. The regulator noted that strict legal consequences will follow for any non-compliant food business operators.
Inspection Findings And License Suspension
Following a consumer complaint, an inspection conducted at Surya Food & Agro revealed serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies. The regulator stated that bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was being used as a raw material for Priyagold as a source of fiber. Other observed deficiencies included issues with plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, and premises maintenance.
Consequently, the FSSAI license of Surya Food & Agro has been suspended following these non-compliances, and the competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against the company.
Violations At Ueir Organic Foods And Dodla Dairy
Prosecution has been initiated against Ueir Organic Foods Pvt Ltd after a regulatory sample of Yellow Raisins-an Organic Food was found to be unsafe due to pesticide residues exceeding prescribed limits. Upon appeal by the food business operator, the sample was sent to a Referral Laboratory, which confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to Thiamethoxam and Fluopyram metabolites exceeding the prescribed limit.
Similarly, prosecution has been initiated against Dodla Dairy after a regulatory sample of Full Cream Milk was found to be substandard because it did not conform with the milk fat specification prescribed by the regulations. Upon appeal, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent or caustic soda and substandard due to milk fat falling below minimum prescribed limits.
Notices Issued To Other Food Businesses
The FSSAI has also sent a notice to Narpadham Foods for various food safety, hygiene, and licensing non-compliances. The food business operator has been asked to review and correct any misleading health or nutrition claims on product labels and promotional materials, and to remove the Retail category from its FSSAI license as no retail outlet is operated. The business must submit a written explanation, an action taken report, and a compliance report within the stipulated time period, with failure to comply risking license suspension or cancellation.
Additionally, a notice has been sent to Sha Kantilal Jayantilal after an inspection found the licensed premises closed, prompting requests for details regarding its actual business activities. At the same time, a notice has been issued to Sun Ridges Health Carers for food safety, storage, and hygiene non-compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What action did FSSAI take against Surya Food & Agro?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) suspended the FSSAI license of Surya Food & Agro Ltd and initiated prosecution against the company after an inspection revealed serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies, including the use of cattle feed bran as a raw material for Priyagold biscuits.
Why was prosecution initiated against Dodla Dairy?
Prosecution was initiated against Dodla Dairy Ltd after a regulatory sample of Full Cream Milk was tested and referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent or caustic soda and substandard due to milk fat levels falling below minimum prescribed limits.
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