New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued Prohibition of Sale orders against Compounded Hing (asafoetida) manufactured by M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and M/s Laljee Godhoo and Company (LG Brand Unit) after laboratory tests found the products to be substandard.

The action followed a market surveillance exercise initiated by the food safety regulator after it received a consumer complaint regarding the quality of Compounded Hing. Samples collected during inspections were subsequently tested in laboratories, with the regulator stating that the products did not meet prescribed food safety standards.

FSSAI launches market surveillance exercise

The FSSAI said the surveillance exercise covered major brands of Compounded Hing available in the market.

Initial laboratory reports indicated that products manufactured by Everest and the LG Brand Unit did not conform to the applicable standards. Following the preliminary findings, the regulator collected legal samples directly from the centrally licensed manufacturing units of the two companies in Mumbai.

These samples were sent to a primary laboratory for further testing as part of the regulatory process.

The FSSAI also coordinated with the Gujarat State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a joint inspection and sampling operation at Everest Food Products’ state-licensed manufacturing unit in Umbergaon, Gujarat.

According to the regulator, laboratory testing of all legal samples of Compounded Hing collected during these operations confirmed that they were substandard.

Compounded hing fails prescribed standard

Compounded Hing is permitted under India’s food regulations and can be manufactured by blending raw hing with ingredients such as gum arabic, starches and flours.

However, the finished product is required to meet specific quality parameters under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

One of the key requirements is that Compounded Hing must contain sufficient raw hing to provide at least 5% alcohol-soluble extract.

The FSSAI said the tested Compounded Hing samples from the concerned manufacturers contained only 0% to 3% alcohol-soluble extract.

The regulator said the findings indicated that the products contained considerably less raw hing than required under the prescribed standards.

The test results formed the basis for the regulatory action against the manufacturers.

Six LG raw hing samples also tested

The FSSAI’s inspection also covered raw hing from the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai.

The regulator collected six varieties of raw hing from the unit for laboratory testing. According to the FSSAI, all six samples contained starch levels ranging from 15% to 32%.

The applicable standard permits a maximum starch content of only 1% in raw hing.

The samples were also required to meet the prescribed minimum level of alcohol-soluble extract. Under the applicable food safety standards, raw hing must contain at least 12% alcohol-soluble extract.

The laboratory findings therefore raised concerns about the quality and composition of the products tested at the unit.

Sale prohibited at two units

Following the laboratory findings, the FSSAI issued Prohibition of Sale orders against the Everest unit in Mumbai and the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai.

The regulator described the action as a preventive measure intended to protect public health and safeguard consumer interests.

The orders prevent the concerned products from being sold while the regulatory process continues.

The companies have also been directed to submit detailed action plans outlining the measures they intend to take to address the violations and ensure compliance with food safety requirements.

Manufacturers advised to recall products

The FSSAI has advised the manufacturers to voluntarily recall substandard Compounded Hing products that may already be available in the market.

A product recall can help prevent consumers from purchasing or consuming batches that do not comply with the prescribed standards.

The manufacturers are also expected to take corrective measures to ensure that future production meets the quality requirements laid down under India’s food safety regulations.

The regulatory action comes as food authorities continue to use market surveillance, inspections and laboratory testing to identify products that fail to meet prescribed standards.

Consumers urged to remain alert

The findings underline the importance of regulatory testing in checking the quality and composition of packaged food products sold to consumers.

For manufacturers, compliance with prescribed standards is essential not only to meet legal requirements but also to maintain consumer confidence.

The FSSAI’s action against the two units will now require the companies to address the identified deficiencies and demonstrate compliance with the applicable standards.

With the regulator also advising voluntary recalls, further action could follow depending on the manufacturers’ response and subsequent regulatory assessments.