On Sunday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced enforcement actions against two food businesses. The authority suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Private Limited, a West Bengal–based bakery manufacturer, and directed Everest Food Products Private Limited to recall a batch of cumin powder that tested positive for pesticide residues above permissible limits.
The licence suspension followed an inspection that uncovered multiple hygiene and safety lapses at the bakery’s manufacturing facility. Inspectors reported dirt, grease, dust, cobwebs and flies in food production and handling areas. Perishable raw materials were stored openly, and rusted, inadequately cleaned containers were used for raw and semi‑finished products.
Additional findings included accumulation of waste, old stock, rejected lots and scrap in food‑handling zones. The premises also showed rusting equipment, peeling paint, damp conditions and damaged floor tiles. The regulator noted that the company had failed to maintain essential food‑safety records and monitoring systems, such as water and finished‑product testing logs, temperature logs, equipment calibration data, preventive maintenance records, mock recall documentation, consumer complaint registers, training records and audit reports.
Separately, FSSAI ordered Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd to recall a batch of pre‑packed cumin powder after laboratory testing revealed pesticide residues of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam at levels exceeding the prescribed maximum limits. The unsafe sample was drawn from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes in Goa, and the Food Analyst’s report confirmed the findings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
