FSSAI cracks down on Priyagold biscuit maker | India News
NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stepped up enforcement against major food companies, sanctioning prosecution against Priyagold biscuit maker Surya Food & Agro Ltd, Dodla Dairy Ltd and Ueir Organic Foods Pvt Ltd, while issuing notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) over alleged labelling violations and misleading product claims.Action against Surya Food & Agro followed a consumer complaint that led officials to find bran meant for cattle feed being used as a fibre source in Priyagold biscuits.The gunny bags containing the material for the biscuits were marked for cattle feed. Inspectors also flagged deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene and premises maintenance. The company’s FSSAI licence was suspended following the inspection, and the competent authority has now sanctioned prosecution. Attempts to reach the company for comment were unsuccessful.FSSAI has issued notices to Nestlé India over its Nescafé ready-to-drink range, including Cappuccino, Choco Mocha and Chilled Latte, manufactured by Schreiber Dynamix Dairies and Lotus Dairy Products. The regulator flagged discrepancies between the front-of-pack description “Flavoured Milk” and the back label, which classified the products as “Proprietary Food – 1.12 Dairy Based Drink”. Online listings described them as “Coffee Flavoured Milk” and carried claims about the goodness of flavoured double-toned milk, which FSSAI said were inconsistent with the declared product category. The companies have been asked to explain why action should not be initiated under food safety laws.A separate notice to Nestlé concerned its Resource Renal vanilla flavour powder, intended for dietary management of people with conservatively treated chronic kidney disease. FSSAI said the product lacked the required prior approval and that the prescribed vegetarian or non-vegetarian symbol was missing from the label.In a statement the company said, “FSSAI has sent a communication to Nestlé India concerning the label declarations/classification of the Nescafe Ready To Drink products. This does not relate to product safety or product quality. Mentioned products are safe to consume and meet all applicable food safety requirements.
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We will be submitting our response to the authorities and will be engaging with them as per due process established under law.” Hindustan Unilever was issued notices over claims on Horlicks Women’s Plus Chocolate Nutrition Drink, including “Nutrition for Strong Bones” and “Clinically Proven to Help Improve Bone Strength in 6 Months”.In a statement to the press, the company spokesperson said, “Hindustan Unilever Limited is committed to providing safe, high-quality products that comply with all applicable regulatory requirements. Horlicks Women’s Plus and Mother’s Plus has been developed based on established nutritional science and is manufactured in accordance with stringent quality and safety standards. All product communication is developed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and governance processes. We will share all the scientific and regulatory evidence with the authorities as per normal process of review.”
