New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered a halt to the sale of certain Compounded Hing (Asafoetida) products manufactured by two prominent spice brands — M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and M/s Laljee Godhoo and Company (LG Brand Unit).
The action follows a consumer complaint regarding the quality of compounded hing sold under a specific brand. Following the complaint, FSSAI conducted market surveillance covering major brands and collected samples for laboratory testing.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, initial laboratory reports found compounded hing samples from both Everest and LG to be substandard.
Everest Hing Samples Fail Mandatory Standard
FSSAI collected legal samples directly from the centrally licensed manufacturing units of Everest Food Products Private Limited and the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai.
Under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Compounded Hing is an approved food category made by blending Raw Hing with ingredients such as gum arabic, starches and flours.The regulations require the final compounded hing product to contain sufficient Raw Hing to ensure at least 5% alcohol-soluble extract.
However, laboratory testing of the samples found alcohol-soluble extract levels between 0% and 3%, below the mandatory 5% requirement.
LG Raw Hing Samples Found With Excess Starch
FSSAI also collected samples of six varieties of Raw Hing from the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai.
According to the prescribed standards, Raw Hing should contain a maximum of 1% starch. Laboratory testing, however, found starch levels ranging from 15% to 32% across all six LG varieties tested.
These samples were therefore classified as substandard.
The regulations also require Raw Hing to contain a minimum of 12% alcohol-soluble extract.
Sale Prohibition Orders IssuedFollowing the identification of multiple non-compliant batches, FSSAI formally issued Prohibition of Sale orders to Everest Food Products Private Limited and the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai.
The authority said the action is preventive in nature and has been taken to safeguard public health and protect consumer interests.
Companies Asked to Submit Corrective Action PlansFSSAI has directed the concerned food business operators to submit comprehensive action plans explaining how they will address the identified quality issues.
The manufacturers have also been advised to voluntarily recall substandard products that may currently be available in the market.
The regulatory action is part of FSSAI’s efforts to strengthen food safety monitoring and ensure that products sold to consumers comply with prescribed standards.