Everest, LG Hing Powder Sale Banned: FSSAI Orders Immediate Action Over Quality Violations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered an immediate ban on the sale of hing powder manufactured by Everest and LG, citing quality concerns and alleged violations of food safety regulations.

The food safety authority said laboratory testing found that various Everest and Lalji Godhoo (LG) hing powder products did not meet the prescribed quality standards and were manufactured in violation of applicable food safety regulations.

FSSAI Finds Quality Issues in Everest Hing Powder

According to a statement issued by the FSSAI, different varieties of Everest hing powder were subjected to laboratory testing. The samples were found to be substandard and misbranded.

Under food safety regulations, the minimum required level of alcohol-soluble extract in hing products is 5%. However, samples of Everest hing powder were found to contain only 3% alcohol-soluble extract.

The yellow-compounded hing powder recorded an alcohol-soluble extract level of only 3.29%, while the black-compounded hing powder recorded 4.4%.

According to the findings, the lower levels indicate that the products did not contain the required quantity of genuine asafoetida.

LG Hing Powder Found to Have Excess Starch

Testing of LG hing powder also found that the starch content was 15% to 32% higher than the permitted limit.

Based on these findings, the FSSAI has imposed an immediate ban on the sale of all varieties of hing powder manufactured by both Everest and LG.

The companies have also been instructed to voluntarily withdraw substandard hing powder products that are already available in the market.

Companies Ordered to Take Corrective Action

The FSSAI has directed the companies to rectify the identified violations, provide explanations for the regulatory breaches and submit revised corrective action plans to improve the quality of their products.

The sales ban will remain in force until the companies fully comply with the prescribed food quality and safety standards.

The food safety authority has warned that further action may be taken if the companies fail to correct the violations and meet the required standards.