FSSAI initiates prosecution against Priyagold maker over cattle-feed bran in biscuits

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated prosecution proceedings against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, after an inspection allegedly found the company using bran meant for cattle feed as a source of fibre in its products.

The finding has raised concerns over food safety standards and the quality controls followed in the manufacture of products intended for human consumption. According to the inspection findings, bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was meant for cattle feed.

The regulator has initiated legal proceedings over the alleged use of the material in biscuit manufacturing. The allegations will be dealt with through the applicable legal process.

Inspection flags hygiene and storage lapses

Apart from the use of cattle-feed bran, the inspection reportedly identified deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, maintenance of the premises, and the handling of intermediate formulations.

The FSSAI had earlier suspended the manufacturer's licence following the serious non-compliances observed during the inspection. It has now initiated prosecution proceedings against the company over the alleged violations.

The case centres on the use of a raw material specifically intended for animal feed in a product manufactured for human consumption. The findings have prompted scrutiny of the company's food safety practices and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Two other companies face prosecution

The FSSAI has also initiated legal proceedings against Dodla Dairy Ltd and UEIR Organic Foods Pvt Ltd over separate alleged food safety violations.

In the case of Dodla Dairy, a sample of its full cream milk was initially declared substandard after laboratory analysis found that it did not meet the prescribed milk-fat specifications. Following an appeal by the company, the sample was referred to a referral food laboratory, which reportedly confirmed that the milk was unsafe due to the presence of detergent or caustic soda. The sample was also found to have milk fat below the minimum prescribed limit.

The findings led to prosecution proceedings over the alleged supply of unsafe and substandard food under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

In a separate case, UEIR Organic Foods was found to have pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company. The regulator has initiated prosecution proceedings over the alleged violation of food safety rules.

FSSAI steps up action over food safety violations

The proceedings against the three companies concern different alleged violations, including the use of cattle-feed bran in biscuits, unsafe and substandard milk, and pesticide residues in raisins.

The cases underline the regulator's responsibility to enforce food safety requirements and hold food businesses accountable for compliance. The allegations against the companies will be addressed through the relevant legal processes.