Priyagold biscuits: Why Nepal banned them

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Nepal halts Priyagold biscuit imports after food safety action in India

Nepal has banned the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits manufactured by India's Surya Food and Agro Ltd after India's food safety regulator flagged serious violations at the company's manufacturing facility. The action follows an inspection by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which found that bran meant for cattle feed was being used in biscuit manufacturing. FSSAI has suspended the company's food licence and initiated legal proceedings for prosecution. Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has also directed traders to stop selling the biscuits and recall any existing stocks from the market.

Here is what we know about the ban, the findings against the manufacturer and the action taken by food safety authorities.

Why has Nepal banned Priyagold biscuits?

Nepal's DFTQC issued a notice on Monday restricting the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits manufactured by Surya Food and Agro Ltd in India. The department classified the product as substandard, citing the food safety concerns raised by Indian authorities.

The decision was taken following a virtual emergency meeting convened at the initiative of DFTQC Director General Sanjeev Kumar Karna. According to the notice, the restrictions were imposed to protect public health and consumer welfare.

The department has asked traders and consumers not to import the biscuits and directed authorised importers and food traders to immediately recall any stocks available in the market.

What did FSSAI find during its inspection?

According to FSSAI, an inspection of Surya Food and Agro Ltd was conducted following a consumer complaint. Officials found serious deficiencies in food safety and hygiene practices at the manufacturing facility.

The most significant finding concerned the use of bran meant for cattle feed as a raw material in Priyagold biscuits. The material was being used as a source of fibre despite not being intended for human consumption.

FSSAI also noted that the bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed.

The regulator's findings raised concerns about the raw materials being used in the biscuits and the company's compliance with food safety requirements.

What other food safety violations were reported?

Apart from the use of cattle-feed bran, FSSAI identified several other deficiencies at the manufacturing plant.

These included:

Plant hygiene: Deficiencies in maintaining hygiene standards at the facility.
Pest control: Lapses in pest management.
Raw material storage: Problems involving storage and segregation of raw materials.
Personnel hygiene: Non-compliance with hygiene requirements for staff.
Premises maintenance: Shortcomings in maintaining the manufacturing premises.
Intermediate formulations: Deficiencies in the handling of formulations used during the manufacturing process.

FSSAI described the non-compliances as serious and said they formed part of the basis for regulatory action against the company.

What action has FSSAI taken against Surya Food and Agro?

Following the inspection, FSSAI suspended the food licence of Surya Food and Agro Ltd over the serious violations identified at its facility.

The regulator has also confirmed that the competent authority granted sanction to initiate prosecution against the company. The proceedings concern the use of cattle-feed bran in biscuit manufacturing and the other violations documented during the inspection.

The sanction for prosecution marks a further step in the regulatory action against the manufacturer. It does not, by itself, establish that the company has been convicted of an offence.

What should traders and consumers in Nepal do?

Nepal's DFTQC has urged traders, authorised importers and consumers to comply with its restrictions on Priyagold biscuits manufactured by Surya Food and Agro Ltd.

Importers and food traders holding stocks have been asked to recall the products from the market immediately. The department has also directed concerned parties to stop further imports, sales and distribution.

The restrictions follow the food safety findings announced by FSSAI in India. Consumers and traders should refer to official notices from the relevant food safety authorities for further instructions regarding the affected products.

What does the Priyagold biscuit case mean?

The food safety violations flagged by FSSAI have led to a ban on Priyagold biscuits in Nepal, raising the possibility of further scrutiny in other markets where the product is sold. The concerns include the use of bran meant for cattle feed in biscuits intended for human consumption, along with hygiene and storage lapses. FSSAI has suspended Surya Food and Agro Ltd's licence and approved prosecution proceedings against the company. The company has not responded to the matter so far.

Inputs from agencies