NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated prosecution proceedings against the maker of Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy and UEIR Organic Foods over serious food safety violations.The regulator found cattle-feed bran being used in biscuit manufacturing, detergent/caustic soda in a Dodla Dairy milk sample and pesticide residues in yellow raisins sold by UEIR Organic Foods.In a social media post on Saturday, FSSAI said it had “initiated legal proceedings for prosecution” against the three companies over “serious food safety violations”.The action against Surya Food & Agro, which manufactures Priyagold biscuits, follows an inspection conducted by FSSAI after a consumer complaint.The inspection revealed serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies, including the use of cattle-feed bran as a raw material in biscuit manufacturing.“Bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was found being used as a raw material in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing as a source of fibre,” the regulator said.The gunny bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed.FSSAI also found deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and the handling of intermediate formulations.The regulator had earlier suspended Surya Food & Agro’s licence following serious non-compliances detected during the inspection. It has now initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against the company.
Dodla Dairy milk sample found unsafe and substandard
In the case of Dodla Dairy, a sample of its full cream milk was found to be substandard after it failed to meet the prescribed milk fat specifications.A regulatory sample of ‘Full Cream Milk’ was collected from the company and sent for analysis. The Food Analyst declared it substandard due to non-conformity with the prescribed milk fat requirements.Following an appeal by the company, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which “confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent/caustic soda and substandard due to milk fat below the minimum prescribed limit.”The laboratory findings established violations relating to unsafe and substandard food under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006.The competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against Dodla Dairy and the other concerned food business operators (FBOs) associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product.The authorities also directed further prosecution proceedings in connection with the unsafe and substandard food.
Pesticide residues found in yellow raisins sold by UEIR Organic Foods
FSSAI’s action against UEIR Organic Foods follows the detection of pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company.The regulator initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against the company as part of its action against serious food safety violations.(With PTI inputs)
