FSSAI to intensify action against cos selling unapproved items

Food safety regulator FSSAI will intensify crackdown on firms selling food products without its approval, following up on the Maggi controversy.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is awaiting reports from various state food safety commissioners who have been instructed to carry out tests on various products earlier this month to take further action.
"There are unauthorised food products being sold in the market. We have increased our surveillance. State food safety commissioners have been asked to put a check on manufacturers putting FSSAI and BIS marks even without getting product approval," a senior FSSAI official told PTI.

Noting that the industry should follow self-regulation, the official said, "Some companies are recalling unauthorised products on their own. If they don't, we will take strict action. The state food safety officers have powers to confiscate and destroy such products."
The FSSAI had banned Nestle's Maggi noodles, calling them 'unsafe and hazardous' for human consumption after finding presence of lead and taste enhancer monosodium glutamete (MSG) beyond permission levels.
Nestle India had destroyed Maggi noodles worth Rs 320 crore after the withdrawal.

As the food safety regulator cracked the whip on companies selling products without its approval, Hindustan Unilever withdrew Knorr Chinese noodles from the market.

Similarly, Indo Nissin yesterday said it is withdrawing its Top Ramen noodles.
Likewise, global cafe chain Starbucks had to stop use of ingredients not approved by the regulator in certain products served at its outlets in India.
The official said after the Maggi fiasco, state officials have inspected various markets and have found some companies selling noodle products without FSSAI approval.
When asked if FSSAI would take action on other noodles brands for non-compliance of norms, the official said, "We have asked state food safety officers to submit the report of sample test of other noodle brands in a week. We will assess the data and take a call accordingly."

Earlier this month, the regulator ordered testing of noodles, pastas and macaroni brands such as Top Ramen, Foodles and Wai Wai sold and manufactured by seven companies to check compliance of norms.
These include Nestle India, ITC, Indo Nissin Food Ltd, GSK Consumer Healthcare, CG Foods India, Ruchi International and AA Nutrition Ltd.