The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday directed CG Foods India Pvt Ltd, the maker of Wai Wai noodles, to stop production of its veg bhujia namkeen after an inspection allegedly uncovered unsafe processing, unlicensed manufacturing, predated packaging and hygiene deficiencies at its Rajasthan facility.
The food regulator carried out an inspection at the company’s manufacturing unit in Roopangarh, Ajmer, to examine compliance with manufacturing and hygiene requirements. During the inspection, FSSAI said the unit was found reprocessing broken noodles collected from the floor into bhujia products without subjecting them to heat treatment. Inspectors also detected the alleged use of predated packaging dates.
Over 32,000 kg seized
According to the regulator, the unit was manufacturing “Wai-Wai MaMa” and “Wai-Wai Mama Punte” bhujia variants without the required licence, which it said amounted to a violation of Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
FSSAI seized 32,107.2 kg of stock from the premises, including loose and broken noodles. The inspection also revealed what the regulator described as several hygiene and documentation deficiencies. These included inadequate pest-control records as well as other shortcomings related to food hygiene and safety. Samples of products and materials have been collected and sent for laboratory analysis. FSSAI said further regulatory action could follow depending on the laboratory results and findings of the inspection.
Expired goods detained
The regulator also detained 1,925 boxes of expired finished products found at the facility and initiated legal proceedings against the food business operator. CG Foods has been directed to discontinue production of veg bhujia namkeen without the necessary approvals and corrective measures. The action forms part of FSSAI’s enforcement efforts aimed at ensuring compliance with food safety standards at manufacturing facilities.
FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani, speaking separately at a health conference in Delhi on Thursday, stressed the importance of ensuring that consumers receive accurate information about the food products they purchase. He said the regulator was seeking to combine stronger enforcement of food safety requirements with greater consumer awareness and education.