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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken the toughest stand till date against food traders and big companies who are playing with the health of the general public. The regulatory body has significantly increased the scope of monitoring and surprise inspections to ensure supply of safe and quality food items across the country. In the latest action, while on one hand the operating license of a bakery has been suspended with immediate effect due to the appalling filth in the manufacturing unit and disregard for basic hygiene standards, on the other hand an official order has been issued to immediately recall a specific batch of cumin powder of the country’s well-known spice brand Everest from the market. Amidst the continuous increase in demand for packaged food and bakery products during festive and normal times, such stringent administrative action has sent a strong message to the entire food processing industry that compromise on norms will not be tolerated at any cost. Keeping consumer rights and health safety paramount, FSSAI has clarified that no matter how big and reputed the brand is, if any serious flaw is found in the lab test or field inspection, then strictest action will be taken under the legal provisions.
When a special investigation team of food safety officials conducted a surprise raid on the bakery unit concerned, the sight there was extremely worrying and shocking. Minimum standards of cleanliness were being flouted at the manufacturing site and there was clear evidence of the movement of insects, flies and rats where bread, biscuits, cakes and other bakery products were being prepared. Dampness and mold were found in the raw material storage room, while the flour kneading and baking machines had not been thoroughly cleaned for a long time. Apart from this, the workers working there did not have the mandatory medical fitness certificates and were touching the food items directly with their hands without aprons, gloves and hair caps. In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 32 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, the Designated Officer of FSSAI suspended the manufacturing license of the bakery with immediate effect. The authority has given clear instructions to the bakery operator that until the entire premises is rejuvenated, solid proof of pest control is given and all the hygiene standards are corrected and green signal is given in re-inspection, any kind of production or sales activity there will be completely banned.
Along with the action on bakeries, the biggest news in the packaged food sector has come out related to the popular cumin powder of Everest Food Products. The regulatory body has issued a formal notice and ordered the immediate recall of a particular batch of Everest cumin powder from retail outlets, online platforms and distribution networks. When samples of this particular batch were collected and sent for intensive chemical testing to a government recognized laboratory as part of routine market surveillance, the report revealed serious discrepancies in the quality standards and permissible chemical residue levels. According to food safety experts, presence of extraneous substances or pesticide residues in excess of the prescribed limits was found in this batch of cumin powder, which can prove directly harmful to human health, especially the liver and digestive system. FSSAI has strongly ordered the company management to immediately seize all the packets of this identified batch from the supply chain and submit complete details of the goods sold so far to the regulator.
The regulatory body has issued a public notice to common consumers and housewives, appealing to them to immediately check the spices kept in their kitchen. If a consumer has recently purchased Everest Jeera Powder, they must match the batch number, manufacturing date and expiry details printed on the back of the packet with the official recall list. If the purchased packet turns out to be part of the affected batch, stop consuming it immediately and return it to the concerned shopkeeper or lodge a complaint with the nearest food safety office. Doctors and dietitians say that long-term use of adulterated or chemically contaminated spices can increase toxicity in the body, causing stomach ache, vomiting, allergies and long-term immune disorders. Consumers have been advised to make a habit of carefully checking the packet seal, FSSAI license number, batch code and manufacturing details while purchasing any food product.
FSSAI has not only tightened the noose on manufacturing companies but has also issued strict guidelines to make the entire supply chain network accountable. All supermarkets, kirana stores, wholesale dealers and e-commerce grocery platforms have been instructed to stop the sale of any stock of the suspended bakery and restricted batch of Everest Jeera Powder with immediate effect. If any shopkeeper or online seller is found selling or distributing these products, action will be taken against him under the Food Safety and Standards Act along with imposing heavy financial penalty, canceling the license of the shop and filing a criminal case. Distributors have also been directed to keep all recalled packets sealed in a separate secure area and maintain a written record of the same by handing it over to the authorized representatives of the company, so that the FSSAI audit team can physically verify the same at any time.
Senior officials of FSSAI have made it clear that it is mandatory by law to provide pure, nutritious and safe food to the citizens across the country and a ‘zero tolerance’ policy is being adopted in this matter. The food regulator is now resorting to modern AI based data analytics and digital tracking along with traditional sampling, due to which substandard and adulterated products sold in the market are being identified very quickly. Special food safety inspection campaigns have been started in various states of the country, under which intensive checking of hotels, restaurants, street food vendors, packaged drinking water plants, spice mills and bakeries is being done. FSSAI has also called upon the citizens to become active participants and said that if any filth, adulteration or suspicious activity is observed in food manufacturing in any area, then immediately lodge a complaint through ‘Food Safety Connect’ app or National Consumer Helpline, on which the investigating officer will reach the spot within 48 hours and ensure legal action.