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Food Safety and Standards Authority of India i.e. FSSAI has initiated legal action to register a criminal case against three big companies after finding serious irregularities in food items. These include Priagold Biscuit manufacturing company ‘Surya Food and Agro’, ‘Dodla Dairy’ and ‘UEIR Organic Foods’.
FSSAI has found animal food bran in biscuits, detergent and caustic soda in milk and dangerous pesticide residues in raisins. FSSAI has informed about initiating a case against these three companies through a social media post on Saturday.
Priagold Biscuit: Added cattle bran to increase fiber
FSSAI had received a complaint from a customer that carelessness was being taken in making Priyagold biscuits. After the complaint, when the food safety team inspected the plant of Surya Food and Agro, serious deficiencies in food safety and hygiene were revealed.
According to the investigation report, the bran that the company was using to increase the source of fiber in the biscuits was not fit for human consumption. That bran was prepared for cattle fodder.
Apart from this, irregularities were also found in cleanliness, pest control, cleanliness of employees and maintenance of things in the plant. FSSAI had earlier suspended the license of the company and has now started the legal process of suing it in the court.
Disadvantages of cattle bran: There is a risk of mycotoxins and fungal infections, serious digestive diseases can occur.
Dodla Dairy: Detergent and caustic soda mixed in full cream milk
The second case is related to Dodla Dairy. The FSSAI team had taken a sample of ‘Full Cream Milk’ of Dodla Dairy for testing. The food analyst had declared the milk to be of sub-standard i.e. poor quality after initial testing found the fat content in the milk to be below the prescribed limit.
The company appealed against this decision, after which the sample was sent to the ‘Referral Food Laboratory’. Tests by the referral lab revealed that the milk was not only sub-standard but also completely ‘unsafe’ for health due to the presence of detergent and caustic soda in it. On the basis of the lab report, approval has been given to register a case against Dodla Dairy and the officials associated with its manufacturing and marketing.
Disadvantages of detergent/caustic soda in milk: Stomach ulcers, damage to intestines, liver and kidneys can have serious effects.
UEIR Organic Foods: Dangerous pesticide found in yellow raisins
The third action has been taken against UEIR Organic Foods. FSSAI had taken a sample of ‘Yellow Resins’ i.e. yellow raisins being sold by the company and got it tested in the lab.
In the lab report, pesticide residues more than the prescribed standards were found in the raisins. Finding chemicals and pesticides in products being sold in the name of organic is a direct violation of food safety rules. For this FSSAI has started legal action against the company.
Disadvantages of pesticides in raisins: Long-term consumption may affect hormones and the nervous system.
Food Safety Act 2006: Punishment for selling unsafe food
Selling substandard or unsafe food is an offense under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 (FSS Act 2006). Adding detergent to milk and animal bran to biscuits puts the food in the ‘unsafe’ category.
Under this law, there is a provision for cancellation of license of the concerned companies as well as heavy fine on the responsible officials and jail sentence after court trial. FSSAI has made it clear that any compromise with consumer health and food safety will not be tolerated.
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