The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched formal prosecution proceedings against three major food companies following the discovery of severe safety violations. The regulator is taking legal action against Surya Food & Agro, the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy, and UEIR Organic Foods.
Action against Surya Food & Agro was triggered by a consumer complaint that led to an inspection of the company's manufacturing facilities. Regulators discovered that the company was using cattle-feed bran as a raw material in its biscuit production, allegedly as a source of fibre. According to the FSSAI, the bran was stored in gunny bags explicitly marked for cattle consumption and not for human use. Furthermore, the inspection uncovered significant lapses in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage, and general premises maintenance. The company's licence had been previously suspended due to these non-compliances.
In the case of Dodla Dairy, the FSSAI initiated proceedings after laboratory analysis confirmed that a sample of the company's full cream milk was unsafe. While initial testing identified the product as substandard due to insufficient milk fat content, a subsequent analysis by a Referral Food Laboratory confirmed the presence of detergent caustic soda. The regulator stated that the laboratory findings established clear violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, leading to the sanctioning of prosecution against the company and its associated operators.
Additionally, the FSSAI has commenced legal action against UEIR Organic Foods. This decision follows the detection of pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins marketed by the firm. The regulator announced these enforcement measures on Saturday, citing the need to address serious food safety breaches across the industry.
