New Delhi, Oct 17: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated prosecution proceedings against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, after an inspection allegedly found the company using bran labelled for cattle feed as a fibre source in biscuits intended for human consumption. The regulator also cited hygiene and storage deficiencies at the manufacturing facility and said it had suspended the company’s food safety licence.
The action followed a consumer complaint that prompted an inspection of the facility. According to the FSSAI, inspectors found gunny bags marked for cattle feed containing bran that was being used as a raw material in biscuit production. The regulator said the inspection also identified deficiencies in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, staff hygiene, premises maintenance and the handling of intermediate formulations.
The FSSAI said the competent authority had approved prosecution proceedings against the biscuit manufacturer for the reported violations.
In a separate case, the regulator has initiated prosecution proceedings against Dodla Dairy Limited and other food business operators associated with the manufacture and marketing of its product after laboratory tests found a milk sample unsafe and substandard.
The sample, collected from Dodla Dairy Limited as full-cream milk, initially failed to meet prescribed milk-fat specifications. After the company appealed, the sample went to a Referral Food Laboratory, which found detergent or caustic soda in the milk and confirmed that its fat content fell below the required minimum.
The FSSAI said the findings established violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, covering unsafe and substandard food. The competent authority subsequently sanctioned prosecution against Dodla Dairy and the other concerned food business operators.
The regulator also issued notices to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal, although it did not specify the nature of the alleged violations involving these entities in its statement.
The actions place scrutiny on food safety compliance across biscuit manufacturing and dairy products, including the suitability of raw materials, production hygiene and adherence to prescribed standards. The proceedings announced by the FSSAI concern alleged violations and laboratory findings; prosecution will determine the legal consequences for the businesses involved.
