Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 29: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited the sale of compounded asafoetida (hing powder) by Everest Food Products Private Limited and Laljee Godhoo over alleged violations of prescribed food safety standards, the regulator said on Saturday.
FSSAI said it issued prohibition orders against the two companies under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after surveillance and legal sampling found compounded hing products to be sub-standard and, in some cases, misbranded or adulterated.
In the case of Everest Food Products, samples of compounded asafoetida (hing powder) and its variants were found to be misbranded and sub-standard by the Food Analyst at the primary food laboratory.
According to FSSAI, the alcohol-soluble extract in one sample was found to be 0 per cent, against the prescribed minimum of 5 per cent. Samples of Yellow Hing Powder and Black Hing Powder were also found to be sub-standard, with alcoholic extract levels of 3.29 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively.
The regulator said routine surveillance had also detected non-compliance with the prescribed alcoholic extract requirement.
Previous regulatory compliance reviews of products including Chicken Masala, Garam Masala and Egg Curry Powder had also revealed labelling-related violations, FSSAI said.
It added that consistent non-compliance had been detected in samples of asafoetida collected from different sources and locations, with products containing less than the prescribed 5 per cent alcoholic extract.
The sale of compounded asafoetida and all its variants manufactured by Everest Food Products has therefore been prohibited with immediate effect until further orders.
Laljee Godhoo products also found sub-standard
In the case of Laljee Godhoo, samples of compounded hing and compounded asafoetida in powder and lump forms were found to be sub-standard and not compliant with prescribed requirements.
Raw hing varieties used to manufacture the compounded products were also found to be sub-standard due to excessive starch content. FSSAI regulations stipulate that starch in hing must not exceed 1 per cent by weight.
The regulator said the violations were considered pervasive across batches based on market surveillance, legal sampling and test reports of raw materials.
Both companies have been directed to submit action plans for rectification and ensure that only products meeting prescribed standards are manufactured and sold.
FSSAI said further legal action would be initiated if satisfactory compliance is not established.