FSSAI cracks down on Priyagold maker over cattle feed bran in biscuits

NEW DELHI: Food for thought has taken a decidedly bitter turn for three food companies. 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 after inspections and laboratory tests flagged serious food safety violations.

The regulator said on Saturday that it had initiated legal action against the companies over the use of cattle-feed bran in biscuit manufacturing, the presence of detergent or caustic soda in a milk sample, and pesticide residues in yellow raisins.

The action follows findings that raise concerns about the safety and quality of products consumed by the public.

The proceedings against Surya Food & Agro, which manufactures Priyagold biscuits, follow an FSSAI inspection triggered by a consumer complaint.

Inspectors found cattle-feed bran being used as a raw material in biscuit manufacturing as a source of fibre. The bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed, not human consumption.

The regulator also reported deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and the handling of intermediate formulations.

FSSAI had earlier suspended Surya Food & Agro’s licence after detecting serious non-compliance during the inspection. It has now moved to initiate prosecution proceedings against the company.

In a separate case, a sample of full cream milk collected from Dodla Dairy failed to meet the prescribed minimum milk-fat requirements.

Following an appeal by the company, the sample was referred to a Referral Food Laboratory for further analysis. The laboratory confirmed that the milk was substandard because its fat content fell below the prescribed limit. It also declared the sample unsafe after detecting detergent or caustic soda.

The findings established violations relating to unsafe and substandard food under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The competent authority subsequently sanctioned prosecution against Dodla Dairy and other food business operators associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product.

FSSAI’s third action concerns UEIR Organic Foods, after pesticide residues were detected in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company.

The regulator has initiated prosecution proceedings against the company as part of its wider action against serious food safety violations. The available details did not specify the pesticide detected or its concentration.

The three cases underline the regulatory scrutiny facing food businesses over raw materials, manufacturing hygiene and product quality. With prosecution proceedings now under way, the companies could face further legal consequences under the food safety law, depending on the outcome of the cases.