New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd to immediately recall a batch of pre-packed cumin powder after laboratory tests found it unsafe for consumption.

The food regulator has also suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd with immediate effect over serious hygiene deficiencies.

In a social media post on Sunday, the FSSAI said it was continuing strict enforcement action to protect consumer health across the country.

The regulator said the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners was suspended following the detection of “severe hygiene deficiencies”.

Separately, the FSSAI issued a product recall order against Everest Food Products after tests found pesticide residues in its pre-packed cumin powder above the prescribed maximum limits.

A regulatory sample of the product was collected from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt Ltd in Goa.

According to the Food Analyst’s report, the sample contained residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam exceeding the prescribed maximum limits. The sample was consequently declared “UNSAFE” under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Everest Food Products was given an opportunity to appeal against the findings. The sample was subsequently sent to the Referral Food Laboratory, which also confirmed that it was unsafe, with both pesticide residues exceeding the permitted limits.

Following the confirmation, the FSSAI directed the company to immediately recall the entire implicated batch of pre-packed cumin powder from the market.

The company has also been instructed to maintain complete records of the recalled product and submit the required reports to the regulator.

The FSSAI further directed the food business operator to take corrective measures to prevent a recurrence and submit a compliance report after completing the recall.

In recent months, the FSSAI has stepped up enforcement action against food business operators and e-commerce companies and has increasingly been using social media to inform the public about such regulatory actions.