Food regulator FSSAI has initiated legal action against ‘Surya Food & Agro’ for manufacturing ‘Priagold’ biscuits and violating other serious regulations. Legal action has also been initiated against ‘Dodla Dairy’ and ‘UEIR Organic Foods’ for gross violation of FSSAI rules and regulations.

This action has been taken against the company ‘Surya Food & Agro’, which sells ‘Priyagold’ biscuits, because it used animal fodder (bran) in making the biscuits. Samples of full cream milk from ‘Dodla Dairy’ were found to contain low levels, while pesticide residues were found in yellow raisins sold by ‘UEIR Organic Foods’. Through a post on social media on Saturday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said it has initiated “legal action” against the three companies for “serious violations related to food safety”.

Animal feed for making biscuits

In the case of ‘Surya Food & Agro’, the regulator found that the company was using animal feed (bran) in making ‘Priagold’ biscuits. FSSAI inspected ‘Surya Food & Agro’ following a customer complaint. During this time, such fodder (bran) was used to make ‘edible’ biscuits, meant only for animals and not for human consumption.

Sacks filled with fodder were clearly marked that the material was for animal fodder. In addition, deficiencies were found in plant sanitation, pest control, storage and segregation of raw materials, personnel hygiene, facility maintenance, and management of formulation intermediates. FSSAI had already suspended the license of ‘Surya Food & Agro’ after noticing serious violations of rules during inspection. Now legal action has been initiated against the company.

Detergent/caustic soda in milk

In the case of ‘Dodla Dairy’, FSSAI found that their full cream milk samples were poor. A sample of ‘Full Cream Milk’ was taken from Dodla Dairy for testing. The food analyst found that the fat content of the milk was not up to the prescribed standards, hence the sample was declared substandard. On the company’s appeal, the sample was sent to the ‘Referral Food Laboratory’, which confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent/caustic soda in it, and was of substandard quality as the milk fat content was below the prescribed minimum limit.” The lab investigation proved that the rules relating to unsafe and substandard food under the FSS Act, 2006 were violated.

The Competent Authority has given permission to initiate legal action against ‘Dodla Dairy’ and other concerned FBOs (Food Business Operators) involved in the production and marketing of this product. Officials have directed more legal action in case of unsafe and poor quality food items. In the case of ‘UEIR Organic Foods’, the regulator found pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins.