FSSAI orders Everest cumin powder recall, suspends Creative Bakers licence over hygiene lapses

New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken two separate enforcement actions involving food businesses, ordering the immediate recall of a batch of Everest pre-packed cumin powder after it was declared unsafe, while suspending the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt. Ltd. over serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies.

The actions were announced by FSSAI on October 4 as part of its ongoing regulatory enforcement to strengthen food safety compliance.

In the first case, FSSAI directed Everest Food Products Pvt. Ltd. to immediately recall the affected batch of its pre-packed cumin powder from the market.

The regulatory sample was collected from the premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd. in Goa. Testing by the Food Analyst found residues of two pesticides — Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam — above the prescribed maximum limits, following which the sample was declared "unsafe" under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Everest was given an opportunity to appeal against the initial findings. The sample was subsequently sent to a Referral Food Laboratory, which also confirmed the "unsafe" finding after detecting both pesticide residues above the permitted limits.

FSSAI has ordered the entire affected batch, identified as Batch No. E080668761, to be withdrawn from the market. The company has also been directed to maintain records of the recalled product, submit recall-related information and undertake corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.

Consumers who have Everest pre-packed cumin powder can check the batch number on the package and avoid using the affected batch.

In a separate action, FSSAI suspended the licence of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt. Ltd. with immediate effect following an inspection that found serious hygiene and sanitation deficiencies at its premises.

According to the regulator, inspectors found dirt, grease, dust, cobwebs and flies in food production and handling areas. Perishable raw materials were reportedly stored openly, while rusted and inadequately cleaned containers were being used for raw and semi-finished products.

The inspection also flagged significant pest infestation, inadequate fly and rodent control and openings without insect-proof mesh. Waste, old stock, rejected lots and scrap were found accumulated in food-handling areas, while the premises also had rusting equipment, flaking paint, dampness and damaged floor tiles.

FSSAI further found gaps in important food safety records and systems, including water and finished-product testing, temperature monitoring, equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, mock recall, consumer complaints, training and audit records.

The food business operator has been directed to stop all food business activities during the suspension period.

The two cases involve different food businesses and separate regulatory findings, but both highlight the importance of compliance across the food supply chain.

While the Everest action relates to a specific cumin powder batch found unsafe after two rounds of laboratory testing, the Creative Bakers action concerns hygiene, sanitation, pest control and food safety management at the premises.

For consumers, the immediate takeaway from the cumin powder recall is to check the batch number before using the product. For food businesses, the actions underline that food safety compliance extends beyond the final product to manufacturing conditions, documentation, hygiene and preventive systems.