FSSAI sanctions prosecution against Dodla Dairy

Bengaluru: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal proceedings for prosecution against three food business operators for serious food safety violations and has issued notices to three others, underscoring its stated zero-tolerance approach under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

In an official statement shared on its X account, FSSAI said the competent authority has granted sanction for initiating prosecution against M/s Surya Food & Agro Ltd (makers of Priyagold biscuits), M/s Dodla Dairy Limited, and M/s Ueir Organic Foods Private Limited. Notices have also been issued to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers, and M/s Sha Kantilal Jayantilal.

The authority emphasised that it maintains zero tolerance for any food safety violations or compromises on public health.

A regulatory sample of “Full Cream Milk” collected from M/s Dodla Dairy Limited was found non-compliant. The Food Analyst initially declared the sample substandard because the milk fat content did not meet the prescribed specifications under the applicable FSS Regulations. After the food business operator appealed, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory.

The laboratory confirmed that the milk was unsafe due to the presence of detergent/caustic soda and substandard because the milk fat was below the minimum prescribed limit. On the basis of these laboratory findings, FSSAI stated that violations relating to unsafe and substandard food under the FSS Act, 2006, had been established.

Sanction was granted for initiating prosecution against M/s Dodla Dairy Limited and other concerned food business operators associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product. Further prosecution proceedings for the unsafe and substandard food have been directed. Dodla Dairy Limited also operates a dairy facility in Karnataka.

An inspection of M/s Surya Food & Agro Ltd was conducted following a consumer complaint, during which serious food safety and hygiene deficiencies were observed. Bran meant for cattle feed and not intended for human consumption was found being used as a raw material in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing as a source of fibre. The gunny bags containing the bran were marked to indicate that the material was intended for cattle feed.

Other deficiencies were noted in plant hygiene, pest control, raw material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance, and handling of intermediate formulations. The FSSAI licence of M/s Surya Food & Agro Ltd had been suspended following the serious non-compliances observed during inspection. The competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against the company for the aforesaid violations.

A regulatory sample of Yellow Raisins — an organic food — was collected from M/s Ueir Organic Foods Private Limited for analysis. The Food Analyst declared the sample unsafe due to pesticide residues exceeding the prescribed maximum limits. The sample was found to contain multiple pesticide residues, including Azoxystrobin, Fluopyram, Fluxapyroxad, Imidacloprid, Myclobutanil, Pyraclostrobin, Spirotetramat, Tebuconazole and Thiamethoxam.

Upon appeal by the food business operator, the sample was referred to the Referral Food Laboratory, which confirmed that the Yellow Raisins sample was unsafe due to Thiamethoxam and Fluopyram metabolites exceeding the maximum permitted limits. The violations were considered punishable under the FSS Act, 2006, relating to unsafe food. The competent authority granted sanction for initiating prosecution against M/s Ueir Organic Foods Private Limited.

FSSAI has reiterated that the actions follow regulatory sampling, laboratory analysis (including referral testing where appeals were filed), and established violations of food safety standards. The authority said it will not compromise on food safety or public health.

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The Hans India