New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced prosecution action against Surya Food & Agro Ltd., the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy Limited and Ueir Organic Foods Private Limited over food safety violations identified in inspections and laboratory testing.
The regulator’s notices detail the alleged use of cattle-feed bran in biscuit manufacturing, unsafe and substandard full-cream milk, and pesticide residues above permitted limits in yellow raisins. FSSAI said the competent authority had sanctioned initiation of prosecution against the three companies.
Priyagold manufacturer: cattle-feed bran and licence suspension
FSSAI said an inspection of Surya Food & Agro following a consumer complaint found serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies. According to the regulator, bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was being used as a source of fibre in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing. The gunny bags containing it were marked as intended for cattle feed.
The authority also reported deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw-material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and handling of intermediate formulations. FSSAI said the company’s licence had been suspended following the serious non-compliances, and the competent authority granted sanction to initiate prosecution.
Dodla Dairy: milk-fat shortfall and detergent finding
A regulatory sample of Dodla Dairy’s “Full Cream Milk” was declared substandard because it did not conform to prescribed milk-fat specifications, FSSAI said.
Following an appeal by the food business operator, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory. FSSAI said that laboratory confirmed the sample was unsafe because of detergent and substandard because its milk fat was below the prescribed minimum.
The authority said prosecution was sanctioned against Dodla Dairy and the concerned food business operators associated with manufacture and marketing of the product.
Ueir Organic Foods: pesticide residues in yellow raisins
FSSAI said a regulatory sample of “Yellow Raisins – an Organic Food” collected from Ueir Organic Foods was declared unsafe after pesticide residues exceeded prescribed maximum limits.
The sample contained multiple residues, including Azoxystrobin, Fluopyram, Fluxapyroxad, Imidacloprid, Myclobutanil, Pyraclostrobin, Spirotetramat, Tebuconazole and Thiamethoxam, the notice said. Following the operator’s appeal, the Referral Food Laboratory confirmed unsafe findings for Thiamethoxam and Fluopyram metabolites above the permitted limits.
FSSAI said these violations were considered punishable under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, relating to unsafe food, and prosecution sanction was granted. The announcements concern regulatory findings and prosecution action; they do not report a court conviction.
Notices to three other businesses
In the second post of the same thread, FSSAI announced notices to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal.
For Narpadham Foods, the regulator listed hygiene, pest-proofing, storage, food-packaging certification and record-keeping deficiencies. It also sought correction of misleading health or nutrition claims and clarification of the retailer category on the licence where no retail outlet operated at the inspected premises.
The notice to Sun Ridges Health Carers cited food stored directly on the floor without pallets, inadequate storage and pest prevention, insufficient cleaning of food-contact equipment and deficiencies in hygiene and records.
For Sha Kantilal Jayantilal, FSSAI said the licensed premises were found closed. It sought clarification of the actual retail, wholesale and import activities, supporting business documents, import records and details of storage and handling facilities.
The three businesses were directed to submit the required explanations, supporting documents or compliance reports within the stipulated period. The notices warned that failure to comply could result in licence suspension or cancellation.
