Priyagold biscuits under FSSAI scanner over use of cattle feed bran; two others also in net

Food regulator FSSAI has initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against Surya Food & Agro, which manufactures Priyagold biscuits, for using cattle feed bran as a raw material, along with Dodla Dairy and UEIR Organic Foods for serious food safety violations.

The action against Surya Food & Agro followed an inspection triggered by a consumer complaint, during which the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies. The regulator said the company was using bran meant for cattle feed in the manufacture of Priyagold biscuits as a source of fibre.

"Bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was found being used as a raw material in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing as a source of fibre," the regulator said.

The gunny bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed. Inspectors also observed deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and the handling of intermediate formulations.

FSSAI had earlier suspended the company's licence following serious non-compliances observed during inspection. It has now initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against Surya Food & Agro.

Legal proceedings have also been initiated against Dodla Dairy after a sample of its full cream milk was found to be substandard due to non-compliance with prescribed milk fat specifications.

A regulatory sample of 'Full Cream Milk' collected from Dodla Dairy was analysed by a Food Analyst, who declared it substandard. Following an appeal by the company, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which "confirmed that the sample was unsafe due to the presence of detergent/caustic soda and substandard due to milk fat below the minimum prescribed limit."

The laboratory findings established violations relating to unsafe and substandard food under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against Dodla Dairy and the other concerned food business operators (FBOs) associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product. The authorities directed further prosecution proceedings for the unsafe and substandard food.

In the case of UEIR Organic Foods, FSSAI found pesticide residues in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company. The regulator has initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against the company for serious violations of food safety rules.

In a social media post on Saturday, FSSAI said it had "initiated legal proceedings for prosecution" against the three companies for "serious food safety violations".