Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 24: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the food business licence of Rehaan Healthcare after inspectors uncovered extensive violations of food safety and hygiene standards at the company's manufacturing facility for health supplements and nutraceuticals.

The food regulator on Friday directed the company to immediately halt all manufacturing and food business operations until the identified deficiencies are fully rectified and compliance is verified by the competent authority.

Announcing the action on social media platform X, the FSSAI said the decision followed an inspection that revealed serious breaches of food safety regulations at the facility. It also warned that any violation of the suspension order would invite legal action.

According to the regulator, the manufacturing unit received an overall compliance score of only 12 per cent, reflecting what it described as "very serious failure and non-compliance" with existing food safety provisions.

Inspectors found the premises to be in an extremely unhygienic condition, citing sludge and dirt accumulated beneath manufacturing tanks, poorly organised storage of raw materials and inadequate housekeeping practices that significantly increased the risk of cross-contamination.

The inspection also highlighted several shortcomings in infrastructure, including inadequate storage facilities, insufficient workspace, poor ventilation and lighting, damaged equipment and structures, pest infestation and the absence of a valid drinking water quality test report.

The FSSAI noted that the concerns were particularly serious because the unit manufactures health supplements and nutraceuticals, products often consumed by children and other vulnerable groups.

"As the unit manufactures health supplements and nutraceuticals, a high-risk category of food consumed by children and other vulnerable groups, the unhygienic conditions and failure of food safety controls pose a serious and imminent threat to public health," the regulator said.

Officials also reported finding spider webs, mould growth, flies, insects and exposed food waste inside the manufacturing area, indicating severe lapses in sanitation and hygiene.

Rehaan Healthcare manufactures digestive syrups, multivitamin syrups and other syrup-based nutritional products.

The action is part of the FSSAI's broader enforcement drive against food and beverage companies over violations related to food safety, misleading claims and improper labelling. In recent months, the regulator has also issued notices to several e-commerce platforms as part of its ongoing compliance campaign.

According to the FSSAI, such enforcement measures are initiated based on consumer complaints, suo motu action and routine inspections conducted by food safety officials.