The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against three food businesses over serious violations, including the alleged use of cattle feed material in biscuits and safety concerns involving milk and raisins. The companies facing action are Surya Food & Agro, which manufactures Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy and UEIR Organic Foods. The regulator’s findings relate to the use of bran meant for animal feed in biscuit production, a substandard full cream milk sample and the detection of pesticide residues in yellow raisins.
In a social media post on Saturday, FSSAI said it had “initiated legal proceedings for prosecution” against the three companies for “serious food safety violations”.
The latest action follows inspections and laboratory tests that identified concerns about manufacturing practices, product quality and food safety compliance. The cases highlight the regulatory consequences businesses may face when their products or operations fail to meet prescribed standards.
Why Is FSSAI Taking Action Against Priyagold Biscuits Maker?
FSSAI’s action against Surya Food & Agro follows an inspection conducted after a consumer complaint. During the inspection, officials identified serious deficiencies relating to food safety and hygiene at the manufacturing facility.
The regulator found that the company was using cattle feed bran as a raw material in the production of Priyagold biscuits. The material was reportedly being used as a source of fibre despite being intended for animal consumption rather than human consumption.
“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.
According to FSSAI, the gunny bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the contents were intended for cattle feed.
The inspection also identified shortcomings in several operational areas, including plant cleanliness, pest management, storage and segregation of raw materials, employee hygiene, maintenance of the premises and the handling of intermediate formulations.
FSSAI had previously suspended Surya Food & Agro’s licence following the serious non-compliances identified during the inspection. It has now moved to initiate prosecution proceedings against the company.
Dodla Dairy Full Cream Milk Sample Found Substandard
Dodla Dairy is facing prosecution after a sample of its full cream milk failed to meet the prescribed standards.
The regulatory sample was collected for laboratory analysis, following which the Food Analyst declared it substandard because its milk fat content did not conform to the required specifications.
The matter was subsequently examined by a Referral Food Laboratory after the company appealed against the initial findings.
The referral laboratory’s assessment raised a more serious concern about the sample.
The laboratory “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.”
These findings indicated violations concerning both unsafe and substandard food under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Following the laboratory results, the competent authority granted approval to initiate prosecution against Dodla Dairy and other food business operators associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product. Further proceedings were directed in connection with the unsafe and substandard milk.
UEIR Organic Foods Faces Action Over Yellow Raisins
UEIR Organic Foods is the third company against which FSSAI has initiated prosecution proceedings. In this case, the regulator detected pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company.
The finding has prompted action over compliance with food safety requirements governing the product.
The available information does not specify the pesticide detected, its concentration or whether the residue exceeded the applicable permissible limit. Those details would be necessary to assess the precise nature and extent of the violation.
FSSAI has included UEIR Organic Foods in its enforcement action against businesses facing serious food safety concerns.
