The food safety authorities have suspended the FSSAI licences of M/s Shivam Agro and M/s TCF Chocolates and Gifts Pvt. Ltd. with immediate effect following serious non-compliances identified during inspections of their food premises.
The enforcement action highlights the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, sanitation, food-handling practices, documentation and regulatory compliance across food businesses.
M/s Shivam Agro
During the inspection of Shivam Agro, several serious food safety deficiencies were observed.
The findings included poor hygiene and sanitation, with flies, garbage, stagnant sewage water, spider infestation and inadequate cleaning of floors, equipment, walls and ceilings.
Inspectors also observed rodent activity and ineffective pest-control measures, creating a potential contamination risk in food-handling areas.
Other concerns included improper storage practices, with food ingredients and non-food items stored together and food products kept in corridors and temporary storage areas.
The inspection also found rusting and corroded equipment, including iron and ferrous tanks and vessels being used for blending edible oil without satisfactory evidence of their suitability for food contact.
The company’s in-house laboratory was found to be non-functional, while required records relating to periodic testing of finished food products were not produced during the inspection.
Labelling deficiencies were also noted, including incorrect declarations relating to serving information and cholesterol on a plant-based edible oil.
M/s TCF Chocolates and Gifts Pvt. Ltd.
The action against TCF Chocolates and Gifts Pvt. Ltd. followed a consumer complaint concerning food ordered through an e-commerce platform, after which an inspection was conducted at the food premises.
Inspectors reported poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, including inadequate cleaning, improper waste disposal and poorly maintained food-processing areas.
Pest infestation and inadequate pest-control measures were also observed, along with cat droppings and uncovered drainage in food-processing areas.
The inspection further found expired food colours and flavours, while cleaning chemicals were stored close to raw materials and food-related materials.
Food-handler hygiene and protective measures were found to be inadequate, including issues related to jewellery control and hygienic food handling and processing.
Several mandatory food-safety records were reportedly not produced during inspection, including records related to pest control, cleaning, medical examination, training, calibration, laboratory testing and audits. The inspection material also noted that the FBO had recorded a 14% compliance score during the previous inspection due to non-availability of required documentation.
Labelling deficiencies were identified, including inadequate declaration of food name or product identity. The suitability of certain plastic pipes used for transferring food was also not established.
Licences Suspended With Immediate Effect
Following the reported violations, the FSSAI licences of both food business operators were suspended with immediate effect. The FBOs were directed to cease their food business activities during the suspension period.
The action underlines the regulatory importance of maintaining food hygiene, sanitation, pest control, suitable food-contact equipment, proper documentation, laboratory testing and compliant labelling.
For food businesses, the case also demonstrates that regulatory compliance extends beyond the final product and includes the entire food-processing environment, personnel practices, equipment, storage conditions and documented food-safety systems.
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