NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has initiated legal action against three food manufacturers following regulatory inspections and laboratory analyses that uncovered significant violations of safety standards across commercial food items. The enforcement proceedings target Surya Food & Agro, the manufacturer of PriyaGold biscuits, Dodla Dairy, and UEIR Organic Foods. Official investigations revealed the presence of cattle-feed bran in biscuits, detergent and caustic soda in full-cream milk, and pesticide residues surpassing permissible limits in yellow raisins sold under an organic label.
Inspection Uncovers Cattle-Feed Bran in Biscuit Facility
Action against Surya Food & Agro was initiated after a consumer complaint prompted food safety authorities to inspect the facility producing PriyaGold biscuits. Regulators reported multiple hygiene and operational deficiencies on site, including poor raw material storage, inadequate pest control, and unsatisfactory employee sanitation practices. Officials determined that the bran incorporated to increase the dietary fibre content of the biscuits was processed for cattle feed rather than human consumption.
The regulatory authority initially suspended the manufacturing licence of Surya Food & Agro before moving forward with court prosecution. Using non-food-grade raw materials presents considerable health hazards, as industrial and livestock inputs bypass the rigorous safety protocols required to prevent toxic contamination in consumer goods.
Laboratory Testing Detects Chemical Adulterants in Milk
Legal proceedings against Dodla Dairy followed a tiered testing process that began when a routine sample of full-cream milk failed basic quality standards for fat content. After the company disputed the initial classification of the milk as substandard, the matter was escalated to a referral food laboratory. Subsequent comprehensive chemical analysis of the referral sample detected both caustic soda and commercial detergent.
The detection of these chemicals reclassified the dairy product as unsafe for human consumption. Ingestion of caustic soda and detergent can inflict severe damage on the digestive tract. Following the confirmatory findings from the referral facility, regulators authorized formal prosecution against Dodla Dairy and company personnel responsible for the production and distribution of the batch.
Excessive Pesticide Levels Found in Marketed Organic Raisins
The third prosecution concerns UEIR Organic Foods, which marketed yellow raisins that failed regulatory laboratory tests. Chemical screening showed pesticide residues well in excess of statutory limits, directly contradicting the organic certification and marketing claims made for the product. Organic food standards require verifiable compliance with strict chemical restrictions across all stages of cultivation, processing, and distribution.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, entities manufacturing or selling unsafe or non-compliant food face severe statutory measures, including financial penalties, licence revocation, and imprisonment. Regulatory authorities noted that the initiation of court proceedings serves to establish accountability across supply chains, with final liability to be determined through the judicial process.
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