The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stopped the sale of compounded hing (asafoetida) and its variants from Everest Food and Laljee Godhoo after samples collected from the companies were found to have compliance issues.
The regulator has prohibited the sale of compounded asafoetida with all its variants with immediate effect until further orders, citing violations of prescribed food safety standards.
Samples found ‘misbranded and sub-standard’
“The samples of Compounded Asafoetida (Hing Powder) were found to be “Misbranded and Sub-standard” by the Food Analyst of the primary food laboratory,” the FSSAI said.
According to the regulator, the samples did not meet the requirements under the FSS (Food Products and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. The Alcohol Soluble Extract was recorded at 0.00%, against the prescribed minimum of 5%.
Other samples also failed to meet the requirement. “The samples of Yellow Hing Powder (Compounded Asafoetida) and Black Hing Powder (Compounded Asafoetida) were also found to be sub-standard, with Alcoholic Extract reported at 3.29% and 4.4%, respectively,” it said.
FSSAI flags labelling, ingredient issues
The regulator also pointed to non-compliance in the alcoholic extract parameter. It flagged the non-declaration of salt content exceeding 5% and spice content on the labels of Chicken Masala, Garam Masala and Egg Curry Powder.
FSSAI said asafoetida samples collected from different sources showed “consistent non-compliance”, with alcoholic extract levels below the required 5%.
“In view of the above contraventions, the sale of articles in question, i.e. “Compounded Asafoetida” with all its variants, is hereby prohibited with immediate effect till further orders,” it said.
Laljee Godhoo samples also fail standards
Samples from Laljee Godhoo were also found to be “sub-standard”. The regulator said raw hing varieties used to make compounded hing contained excess starch.
“The samples of Raw Hing Varieties A, B, C, D, E and F, used in the manufacture of Compounded Hing, were found to be sub-standard due to the presence of excess starch. The starch content in Hing shall not exceed 1% by weight under Regulation 2.9.29,” the FSSAI said.
The company has also been barred from further sales of the compounded hing products.
FSSAI has directed Everest Food to submit an action plan addressing the alleged malpractice and ensure that products sold under its licence meet the prescribed standards.