FSSAI flags Everest cumin powder as unsafe, orders immediate market recall: What food analyst report found

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd to withdraw its pre-packed cumin powder from the market after testing determined that the product was unsafe for consumption.FSSAI issued a recall directive covering the cumin powder manufactured by Everest Food Products.The regulator has instructed Everest Food Products to "immediately recall 'Pre-packed Cumin Powder' after tests declared the sample unsafe".

The regulatory sample of "Pre-packed Cumin Powder" was collected from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt Ltd in Goa.According to the regulator, the Food Analyst's examination detected pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam in the sample at concentrations above the prescribed maximum limits." The Food Analyst's report found pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam at levels exceeding the prescribed maximum limits," it said, as per PTI.The sample was subsequently classified as "UNSAFE" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Everest Food Products was given an opportunity to challenge the findings, after which the sample was sent to the Referral Food Laboratory for further examination.The referral laboratory also upheld the earlier findings and confirmed that the sample was "UNSAFE", after detecting Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam above the permitted maximum limits.The regulator ordered the immediate withdrawal of the entire affected batch of "Pre-packed Cumin Powder" from the market.Everest Food was also instructed to keep detailed records of the recalled products and submit the required reports to the authorities."

The FBO was further directed to undertake corrective measures to prevent recurrence of the incident and submit a report upon completion of the recall," the regulator said.Creative Bakers licence suspended over hygiene violationsThe food regulator has also taken action against Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd, suspending the company's licence over alleged hygiene violations.In a post on social media on Sunday, FSSAI said it was continuing to enforce food-safety regulations across the country to protect consumers."

FSSAI licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd has been suspended with immediate effect due to severe hygiene deficiencies," the regulator said.Low-fat dairy whitener sample declared unsafe in FSSAI lab testMeanwhile, a sample of low-fat dairy whitener manufactured by a food company and collected from a hotel chain's premises in Connaught Place, New Delhi, has been classified as "substandard" and "unsafe", according to a Food Analyst's laboratory report under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, the FSSAI stated, as per ANI.The sample was collected from the hotel premises in Connaught Place and subsequently examined by the Food Analyst.

The laboratory report found the product to be "substandard" and "unsafe", indicating that it did not meet the requirements prescribed under the FSS Act, 2006. The Food Business Operator (FBO) was provided with a copy of the laboratory report for reference and necessary action.Over the past few months, the FSSAI has intensified enforcement measures against food business operators and e-commerce companies. The regulator has also been using social media to inform the public about such actions.