FSSAI Bans Sale of Substandard Hing by Two Firms
Everest Food Products, Laljee Godhoo barred from selling compounded asafoetida products
- FSSAI prohibited Everest Food Products from selling certain hing powder variants with immediate effect.
- Samples were found misbranded and substandard for failing prescribed alcohol-soluble extract standards.
- Laljee Godhoo’s compounded hing was found substandard, with raw hing showing excess starch.
- Both firms have been asked to submit corrective action plans.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Aug: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said it has prohibited Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd and Laljee Godhoo and Company from selling certain hing powder products after samples were found to be substandard.
FSSAI said it issued prohibition orders against the two companies after food samples failed to meet prescribed standards under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
In the case of Everest Food Products, the regulator prohibited the sale of compounded asafoetida (hing powder) variants with immediate effect.
According to FSSAI, samples of compounded asafoetida were found to be misbranded and substandard. The alcohol-soluble extract was recorded at zero per cent, against the prescribed minimum standard of 5 per cent.
The regulator also said samples of Yellow Hing Powder and Black Hing Powder were substandard, with alcoholic extracts of 3.29 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively.
FSSAI directed Everest Food Products to submit an action plan to rectify the alleged malpractice and ensure that products sold under its licence comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The regulator warned of further action if deficiencies are not rectified.
Laljee Godhoo product also fails standards
FSSAI said Laljee Godhoo and Company has been prohibited from selling hing powder after samples of compounded hing and compounded asafoetida, in powder and lump forms, were found to be substandard and adulterated.
The samples did not conform to prescribed requirements and were also found to be misbranded and substandard, the regulator said.
FSSAI further stated that samples of raw hing used in manufacturing the compounded products contained excess starch. Under the prescribed standard, starch content in hing should not exceed one per cent by weight.
The regulator directed Laljee Godhoo to submit an action plan detailing corrective measures and steps to ensure that only standard products are manufactured and sold in compliance with the FSS Act.
