FSSAI orders Everest to recall cumin powder after tests find sample unsafe

NEW DELHI: Cumin up the regulatory heat. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered Everest Food Products to immediately recall its pre-packed cumin powder after two rounds of testing found a sample unsafe for consumption.

The regulator also suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd with immediate effect, citing severe hygiene deficiencies at the food business operator.

In a social media post on Sunday, FSSAI said it was continuing to take strict regulatory measures to safeguard consumer health across the country.

The product recall followed regulatory sampling of pre-packed cumin powder collected from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt Ltd in Goa.

According to FSSAI, the Food Analyst’s report detected pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam above the prescribed maximum limits. The sample was consequently declared “UNSAFE” under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Everest Food Products was given an opportunity to appeal against the initial findings. Following the appeal, the sample was sent to a Referral Food Laboratory for further testing.

The referral laboratory also confirmed the sample was unsafe, finding both Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam above the permitted maximum limits.

Following the confirmation, FSSAI directed Everest Food to recall the entire implicated batch of pre-packed cumin powder from the market with immediate effect.

The company has also been directed to maintain complete records of the recalled product and submit the relevant reports to the regulator.

FSSAI further instructed the food business operator to implement corrective measures to prevent a recurrence and submit a compliance report after completing the recall.

Separately, FSSAI suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd over what it described as severe hygiene deficiencies.

The regulator did not provide further details of the specific deficiencies in its social media update, but said the licence suspension had taken effect immediately.

The latest actions are part of a broader enforcement drive by FSSAI against food business operators and e-commerce companies. The regulator has increasingly used social media to publicise enforcement measures, product recalls and other actions aimed at keeping consumers informed.

For Everest, the recall puts the spotlight firmly on compliance across the food supply chain, while the second round of testing underlines the regulator’s approach of seeking confirmation before taking action on products declared unsafe.