FSSAI suspends licences of VKC Nuts, Chheda Specialities over food safety violations

Representational image. File pic

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday, August 8, suspended the licences of VKC Nuts Private Ltd in Uttar Pradesh and Chheda Specialities Foods Pvt Ltd in Maharashtra with immediate effect. The move from the food regulator of India comes after inspections revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations.

Taking to the social media platform X, FSSAI said that the action was taken in the interest of public health and food safety following the detection of critical non-compliances at the two facilities.

Live insects found in finished goods at VKC Nuts

At VKC Nuts, inspectors found live insects in pistachios stored in the finished goods area, extensive mould and fungal growth in the raw material storage section, rodent droppings across the premises and signs of pest damage to stored food products, as per IANS.

Furthermore, during the inspection conducted by FSSAI, the inspection also revealed the use of rusted and damaged machinery, poor sanitation conditions, ineffective pest-control measures and inadequate segregation of raw materials, work-in-progress inventory and finished goods.

While issuing an official statement, FSSAI also highlighted that some raw material cartons lacked batch numbers and manufacturing or expiry details, while expired cranberry stock was found stored in a finished goods area.

FSSAI noted, "The FSSAI Licence of VKC Nuts Private Limited has been partially suspended with immediate effect under the FSS Act, 2006, in the interest of public health and food safety, until further orders."

Unhygienic food handling at Maharashtra's Chheda Specialities Foods

In the case of Chheda Specialities Foods, the regulator cited unhygienic food handling practices, including workers mixing besan dough with bare hands and handling food near decomposing waste.

Following the inspection the officials found fungal growth around edible oil storage tanks, inadequate waste management systems, roof leakages, stagnant water, damaged flooring and ineffective pest-control arrangements.

FSSAI, while briefing about the investigation, said that raw materials and packaging materials were being stored directly on wet and dusty floors, while several food containers lacked proper labels and traceability details, as per IANS.

Chheda Specialities Foods records 42 per cent compliance

The regulator further noted that multiple food samples collected during earlier inspections had been declared "unsafe" or "misbranded", with legal proceedings in those cases still ongoing.

Officials from FSSAI highlighted, "The facility recorded a compliance score of 42 per cent, reflecting significant shortcomings in food safety and hygiene practices."

FSSAI further said that the licence of Chheda Specialities Foods has been suspended until the company undertakes comprehensive corrective measures, including improvements in sanitation, pest control, waste management, infrastructure maintenance and staff training, and demonstrates compliance with food safety regulations.

The regulator said it will continue strict enforcement across food sectors to safeguard consumer health and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

(With inputs from IANS)