Food regulator halts sale after tests flag substandard hing and regulatory violations
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited the sale of compounded hing (asafoetida) manufactured by Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo and Company after laboratory tests found samples to be substandard and, in some cases, misbranded.
The prohibition orders have been issued with immediate effect as part of the food regulator’s action to protect consumers and ensure compliance with prescribed food safety standards.
Everest hing fails quality standards
In the case of Everest Food Products, FSSAI said samples of compounded asafoetida were found to be misbranded and substandard.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, compounded hing must contain at least 5 per cent alcohol-soluble extract. However, laboratory testing found the extract in some Everest samples to be between 0 and 4.4 per cent, with one sample recording 0 per cent.
The regulator has directed Everest to submit a comprehensive action plan explaining the steps it will take to rectify the violations and ensure that only standard products are manufactured and sold. Further regulatory action could follow if the company fails to comply.
Laljee Godhoo hing found with excess starch
FSSAI also prohibited Laljee Godhoo and Company’s sale of compounded hing after samples were found to be substandard and adulterated.
The regulator said six varieties of raw hing sampled from the company’s Mumbai unit contained 15 per cent to 32 per cent starch, far above the prescribed maximum of 1 per cent by weight.
The finished compounded hing samples were also found to be non-compliant with prescribed standards. FSSAI has asked the company to submit an action plan detailing measures to correct the deficiencies and ensure compliance.
FSSAI advises voluntary recall
The regulator said the action followed market surveillance launched after a consumer complaint regarding the quality of compounded hing. Samples from both companies were subsequently tested, with the laboratory finding multiple batches that did not meet the required standards.
FSSAI has also advised the companies to voluntarily recall substandard products already available in the market.
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