FSSAI orders recall of coriander powder, carrageenan over unsafe food safety concerns

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday ordered the immediate recall of two food products manufactured by Nilgiri Oil & Allied Industries and Aquagri Processing Pvt Ltd after laboratory tests found them unsafe and non-compliant with food safety standards.

In two separate recall notices, the food regulator directed Nilgiri Oil & Allied Industries to recall Shalimar's Chef Coriander Powder and Aquagri Processing Pvt Ltd to withdrawCarrageenan from the market.

According to FSSAI, a regulatory sample of Shalimar's Chef coriander powder was collected from the premises of Nilgiri Oil & Allied Industries under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.

Laboratory analysis found the sample unsatisfactory with regard to pesticide residues and non-compliant with prescribed standards under the relevant food product and contaminant regulations. The food analyst classified the sample as unsafe.

Following an appeal by the food business operator (FBO), a second sample was sent for retesting. The retest also found the product non-compliant with standards related to pesticide residues, leading authorities to reaffirm its unsafe status, FSSAI said.

In a separate case, FSSAI said a sample of carrageenan collected from Aquagri Processing Pvt Ltd was found to contain cadmium beyond permissible limits. The product was subsequently declared unsafe by the food analyst.

After the company exercised its right to appeal, the sample was retested by a Referral Food Laboratory, which also concluded that the product was unsafe under the provisions of the FSS Act.

FSSAI said both products were being manufactured in contravention of applicable food safety regulations. The regulator directed the companies to immediately recall the affected products from the market and undertake all measures mandated under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Recall Procedure) Regulations, 2017.