Food regulator finds quality violations in hing samples
NEW DELHI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued prohibition orders against Everest Food Products Private Limited and Laljee Godhoo and Company, preventing the companies from selling their compounded hing products after samples failed to meet prescribed food safety standards.
The action has been taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, following laboratory testing of hing and asafoetida products associated with the two companies.
Everest Hing Samples Fail Prescribed Standards
According to the food regulator, samples collected from Everest products were found to be non-compliant with the required standards for alcohol-soluble extract.
The prescribed minimum level for the extract is 5%. However, one sample of compounded asafoetida reportedly recorded 0%, while samples of yellow hing powder and black hing powder recorded 3.29% and 4.4%, respectively.
The findings prompted the regulator to take action against the company's products covered by the prohibition order.
FSSAI Takes Action Against LG Hing Products
Laljee Godhoo and Company, which markets hing under the LG brand, has also faced regulatory action following testing of its products.
The FSSAI's intervention is part of its broader responsibility to ensure that food products sold in the Indian market comply with established quality and safety requirements.
The regulator's action means the affected compounded hing products cannot be sold under the prohibition orders.
Why Alcohol-Soluble Extract Matters in Hing
Hing, also known as asafoetida, is widely used as a flavouring ingredient in Indian cooking. Compounded hing products may contain other permitted ingredients, but they are required to meet specific standards laid down by food safety authorities.
The alcohol-soluble extract requirement is one of the parameters used to assess the quality and composition of asafoetida products.
The latest test results showed that some of the samples tested by authorities fell below the prescribed minimum.
FSSAI Emphasises Compliance With Food Standards
The action against Everest and LG highlights the importance of compliance with India's food safety regulations, particularly for widely consumed packaged food products.
The FSSAI has been conducting inspections and testing food products to identify instances where manufacturers fail to meet prescribed standards.
Consumers who have purchased affected products are advised to follow further instructions issued by the regulator or relevant authorities as additional information becomes available.
The latest development puts the spotlight on the quality of packaged hing sold in the Indian market and reinforces the role of regulatory testing in monitoring food products.
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