The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a recall of a specific batch of cumin powder from Everest Food Products after tests confirmed pesticide levels exceeded safety limits. The company is a private entity and is not listed on the stock exchange.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a mandatory recall order for a specific batch of 'Pre-packed Cumin Powder' produced by Everest Food Products Private Limited. This regulatory action follows laboratory assessments that identified pesticide residues, specifically Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam, at concentrations exceeding the permissible safety limits established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The regulator initiated this recall after a sample collected for analysis failed to meet safety requirements. Although the company sought to challenge the initial results, a subsequent evaluation by a Referral Food Laboratory validated the original findings. Consequently, the product batch has been officially classified as 'UNSAFE' for human consumption, forcing the manufacturer to initiate a full market withdrawal of the affected stock.
It is important for market participants to note that Everest Food Products Private Limited is a private, unlisted company. It is not traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) or the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Consumers and observers should distinguish this entity from other publicly traded companies that may share similar names.
In a separate enforcement action, the food regulator also suspended the operating license of Creative Bakers and Confectioners, citing significant hygiene failures at their manufacturing facility. These actions highlight an ongoing, intensified effort by the national regulator to improve oversight of food business operators and retailers across the country.
For the affected company, the recall presents immediate challenges, including the costs associated with withdrawing inventory from the market, implementing corrective quality control measures, and managing potential reputational damage. The company will likely face continued regulatory scrutiny regarding its supply chain and raw material sourcing to ensure future compliance with safety standards.