Business · India Bureau
India's FSSAI bans two firms from selling substandard hing powder
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued prohibition orders against Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo and Company after their asafoetida products failed quality standards. The hing powder samples were found to be misbranded and substandard, with alcohol soluble extract levels far below regulatory requirements.
LSN India ·
India's food safety regulator has cracked down on two major spice manufacturers for selling substandard hing powder, ordering an immediate halt to their sales of the traditional cooking ingredient. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued prohibition notices against Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd and Laljee Godhoo and Company on Saturday after laboratory testing revealed quality violations.
Samples of compounded asafoetida from both manufacturers were found to be misbranded and substandard during analysis at the primary food laboratory. The products failed to meet critical chemical composition standards set under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
Most significantly, the alcohol soluble extract content in the confiscated samples was measured at zero per cent, falling drastically short of the prescribed minimum standard of at least five per cent. This deficiency indicates the products did not contain adequate levels of the active compounds that give hing its characteristic flavour and functional properties in Indian cuisine.
The FSSAI's enforcement action underscores ongoing regulatory efforts to ensure the quality and authenticity of spices sold in Indian markets. The authority regularly conducts testing of food products to protect consumer health and maintain standards across the food supply chain.