The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has flagged major spice brands Everest and Laljee Godhoo for misbranding and substandard quality in their products.

  • FSSAI issued notices to Everest and Laljee Godhoo for food safety non-compliance.
  • Heeng (Asafoetida) powder was found to contain 3.29% to 4.4% non-permissible alcoholic extracts.
  • Compliance issues were also identified in popular blends like Chicken Masala and Garam Masala.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has intensified its crackdown on the spice industry by issuing formal notices to two major players: Everest and Laljee Godhoo. Following rigorous regulatory reviews, the authority identified significant non-compliance issues regarding product quality and labeling accuracy.

The investigation revealed that the heeng (asafoetida) powder supplied by these manufacturers was misbranded and failed to meet prescribed safety standards. Most alarmingly, the regulatory tests detected non-permissible alcoholic extracts of 3.29% in yellow heeng and 4.4% in black heeng powder, posing potential regulatory and health concerns.

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Widespread Compliance Failures

The scrutiny did not stop at heeng. The FSSAI also noted serious compliance discrepancies in several everyday kitchen staples. These include widely consumed blends such as Chicken Masala, Egg Curry Masala, and Garam Masala. The manufacturers appear to have failed in adhering to the strict labeling and composition guidelines mandated by the authority.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that when industry giants fail to comply with safety protocols, it erodes public trust in the entire food ecosystem. The presence of unapproved substances and misbranding can mislead consumers who rely on these labels for dietary and health reasons.

Regulatory non-compliance in staple food items is a critical breach of consumer trust and public health safety.

This recent action follows a pattern of warnings previously issued to these manufacturers. The regulator noted that despite past alerts regarding pesticide levels exceeding permissible limits and general product safety, the manufacturers failed to implement necessary corrective measures, necessitating this escalated enforcement action.

Historical Background

The Indian spice market has long been under the microscope of food safety regulators due to issues ranging from adulteration with artificial colors to high pesticide residues. The FSSAI has consistently worked to modernize testing protocols to ensure that Indian spices, which are exported globally, meet both domestic and international safety benchmarks.

Did You Know?: Asafoetida is often processed using resins and extracts, but the alcohol content must strictly adhere to food-grade standards to be legal for consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Which spice brands are under investigation?
Answer: Everest and Laljee Godhoo have been issued notices by the FSSAI.

Question 2: What was the specific issue with the Heeng?
Answer: The heeng was found to be misbranded and contained unauthorized levels of alcoholic extracts.