FSSAI suspends licence of Priyagold biscuit maker over alleged use of cattle feed bran

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal action against Surya Food & Agro Ltd, the company that makes Priyagold biscuits. The authority said so on Saturday. After an inspection, FSSAI has suspended the company's licence.

The main allegation against the company is that bran meant for cattle feed was used as a raw material in making the biscuits. That is, bran intended for animal feed is alleged to have been mixed into the biscuit mixture. The authority described this as an allegation.

Biscuits contain a fair amount of fibre. To increase it, bran that is unfit for human consumption and used only as cattle fodder was being added as a raw material, the authority said. The sacks found at the company's plant were clearly marked "only for cattle feed".

The inspection found several other deficiencies besides the use of bran. The plant was unclean, pest control was not being carried out, raw materials were being stored improperly, and serious lapses were seen in the personal hygiene of staff. The shortcomings in cleanliness, pest control and raw material storage have raised questions about compliance with food safety rules and about product standards.

Because of these serious violations, FSSAI has immediately suspended the food licence of Surya Food & Agro Ltd. The company will now be prosecuted in court. The authority said on Saturday that action has begun.

Eating a biscuit with the daily cup of tea is routine in many homes. Biscuits are also packed in children's lunch boxes, and many people start the day with tea and a biscuit. Questions are now being raised about the quality of biscuits eaten every day.