New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the licences of two food businesses after inspections found serious hygiene failures, pest activity, expired ingredients and deficiencies in food-safety controls.
The regulator suspended the licences of TCF Chocolates & Gifts Pvt. Ltd. and Shivam Agro with immediate effect and directed both businesses to stop all food operations during the suspension period.
At TCF Chocolates, inspectors reported pest infestation, cat droppings, uncovered drainage and expired food colours and flavours.
At Shivam Agro, officials found flies, garbage, stagnant sewage water, signs of rodent activity and corroded equipment used in food processing.
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Consumer Complaint Triggered Inspection of TCF Chocolates
FSSAI’s action against TCF Chocolates followed a consumer complaint involving food ordered through an e-commerce platform.
Officials inspecting the premises found poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, including inadequate cleaning and improper waste disposal.
Pest-control measures were also found to be inadequate.
Inspectors reported finding cat droppings and uncovered drainage in food-processing areas, raising concerns about possible contamination.
Expired food colours and flavours were also discovered.
Cleaning chemicals were allegedly stored near raw materials and other food-related items, creating another potential contamination risk.
TCF Chocolates Had Earlier Scored Just 14% on Compliance
The latest inspection also raised questions about the company’s wider food-safety systems.
FSSAI said TCF Chocolates failed to produce several mandatory records.
These included documentation relating to pest control, cleaning, medical examinations of food handlers, staff training, equipment calibration, laboratory testing and internal audits.
The unit had also received a compliance score of only 14% during a previous inspection because required documentation was unavailable.
Inspectors further found problems with food labelling and questioned whether some plastic pipes used to transfer food were suitable for food-contact purposes.
The regulator also flagged inadequate hygiene and protective practices among food handlers, including improper control over jewellery worn in food-processing areas.
Flies, Sewage Water and Rodent Activity Found at Shivam Agro
A separate inspection of Shivam Agro revealed another set of serious sanitation concerns.
Officials reported finding flies, garbage, stagnant sewage water and spider infestation at the premises.
Floors, equipment, walls and ceilings were also not being cleaned adequately.
Rodent activity was recorded, while pest-control arrangements were described as ineffective.
Food ingredients and non-food items were stored together, according to the regulator.
Some food products were also kept in corridors and temporary storage areas rather than designated storage locations.
These conditions can increase the risk of cross-contamination and make it more difficult to maintain safe food-handling standards.
Corroded Equipment and Non-Functional Laboratory Raise Further Concerns
FSSAI inspectors also found rusting and corroded equipment at Shivam Agro.
Iron and ferrous tanks and vessels were reportedly being used for blending edible oil without satisfactory evidence that they were suitable for food contact.
The company’s in-house laboratory was also found to be non-functional.
Officials said required records showing periodic testing of finished food products were not produced during the inspection.
The regulator additionally found labelling discrepancies.
These reportedly included incorrect declarations concerning serving information and cholesterol content on a plant-based edible oil.
Taken together, the findings raised concerns not only about cleanliness but also about equipment suitability, product testing and regulatory compliance.
What Does Licence Suspension Mean?
An FSSAI licence is mandatory for many food businesses operating in India.
Suspension means the concerned business cannot legally continue food operations during the period specified by the regulator.
In this case, both TCF Chocolates and Shivam Agro have been directed to cease all food business activities while their licences remain suspended.
The businesses will be expected to address the deficiencies identified during inspection and comply with the applicable food-safety requirements before normal operations can resume.
Further regulatory action can also follow depending on compliance and the findings recorded by FSSAI.
FSSAI Steps Up Enforcement Against Food Businesses
The action comes as FSSAI has increased inspections and enforcement against businesses accused of violating hygiene and food-safety requirements.
The regulator has also been publishing enforcement actions more prominently to inform consumers about violations identified during inspections.
FSSAI maintains a Food Safety Connect platform that allows consumers to report food-safety concerns, verify food business licences and track complaints.
The TCF Chocolates case also shows how a single consumer complaint involving an online food order can trigger an on-site regulatory inspection.
For businesses selling through e-commerce platforms, online visibility does not remove the requirement to comply with physical hygiene, storage, testing and food-handling standards.
What this means for you
If food ordered online appears contaminated, expired or unsafe, preserve the packaging, invoice and photographs and report the issue to FSSAI through its Food Safety Connect system. Consumers can also verify whether a food business holds a valid FSSAI licence before purchasing from unfamiliar sellers.
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