Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 16: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday said it has issued notices to the operator of Radisson Blu Hotel in New Delhi and e-commerce platforms Flipkart and BigBasket over food safety violations and misleading claims about an edible oil, among other enforcement actions.

In a notice to AB Hotels Ltd, which operates Radisson Blu Hotel, New Delhi, the food regulator flagged poor maintenance of the premises and equipment, including rusted machinery, freezer leakage and deficiencies in refrigeration, temperature monitoring, ventilation, flooring and lighting.

The FSSAI also reported inadequate cleaning and sanitisation, stagnant water, drainage and food-waste issues, along with shortcomings in pest control, including the presence of cockroaches and flies.

Food procurement and receiving checks were found to be inadequate, with fungal-affected and deteriorated fruits and vegetables being received. The regulator also flagged deficiencies in approved-vendor records and traceability.

The FSSAI said cooking oil suitability checks were not carried out as required and oils with total polar compounds (TPC) values of 31 and 24.4 were found in use in the hotel's NYC Kitchen.

It further noted improper segregation of raw and cooked foods, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. Food handlers were also found working without gloves and hairnets, while wearing jewellery and keeping long nails.

The hotel operator has been directed to take immediate corrective measures and submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR). Failure to comply could lead to further action, including suspension of its FSSAI licence, the regulator said.

In a separate action, the FSSAI issued notices to Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd, Innovative Retail Concepts Pvt Ltd, which operates BigBasket, and Flipkart India Pvt Ltd over allegedly misleading claims regarding “Freedom Cooking Rice Bran Oil”.

The product was promoted through e-commerce platforms and social media with claims such as “reduces bad cholesterol and maintains/increases good cholesterol” and “10,000+ PPM Natural Oryzanol”, linking its consumption to cholesterol management and heart health.

The regulator said these claims were not permitted under the applicable provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, for edible vegetable oils.

It also found that Gemini Edibles was offering products through its own e-commerce website without a valid Central Licence covering e-commerce activities.

The companies concerned have been directed to show cause as to why action should not be initiated against them, the FSSAI said.

In a third enforcement action, the regulator said it had suspended the licence of DNV Food Products Ltd with immediate effect after finding food being manufactured, packed and stored under unhygienic conditions.

The violations included the presence of flies, stagnant water and cobwebs, with a fly found in direct contact with papad, the FSSAI said.