FSSAI Mandates Immediate Recall for Everest Cumin Powder
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed Everest Food Products Private Limited to promptly recall a batch of its pre-packed cumin powder. This action follows laboratory tests revealing pesticide residues above the maximum permissible limits, leading to the product being declared "unsafe" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
A regulatory sample of the cumin powder was initially collected from premises in Goa. A subsequent Food Analyst's report detected levels of the pesticides Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam that surpassed the prescribed safety thresholds.
Double Confirmation and Batch Details
Following the initial findings, Everest Food Products was given an opportunity to challenge the report. The sample was then sent to a Referral Food Laboratory for further analysis. This second independent test corroborated the initial results, confirming the presence of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam above the maximum limits.
Consequently, the FSSAI has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the entire implicated batch of pre-packed cumin powder, specifically bearing Batch No. E080668761, from the market.
Everest Directed to Take Corrective Action
As part of the recall directive, Everest Food Products is required to maintain comprehensive records of the recalled product. The company must also submit prescribed recall information and regular status reports within specified timelines until the process is complete. Furthermore, Everest has been instructed to implement corrective measures to prevent any recurrence of such an incident and to submit a detailed report upon the conclusion of the recall process.
The FSSAI emphasized its ongoing commitment to enforcing stringent regulatory compliance to safeguard consumer health across the country, citing this recall as part of its continuous efforts.