Key Update 

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken strict action against VKC Nuts Pvt. Ltd. in Uttar Pradesh and Chheda Specialities Foods in Maharashtra over serious food safety violations and critical regulatory non-compliances.

The food safety regulator has partially suspended VKC Nuts’ licence and suspended Chheda Specialities Foods’ licence with immediate effect, citing conditions that could pose risks to public health. FSSAI said the enforcement action forms part of its continued efforts to strengthen food safety compliance across sectors.

Live Insects, Mould and Pest Infestation Found at VKC Nuts

During an inspection of VKC Nuts, officials found live insects and heavy black mould in finished goods and raw material storage areas. The facility also had widespread hygiene and pest-control issues, including rat droppings and food remains contaminated by pests at multiple locations.

Inspectors also found rusted and damaged machinery in the processing area and inadequate segregation of raw materials, discarded products, work-in-process materials, intermediate products and finished goods.

Several raw material cartons lacked essential details such as batch numbers, dates of manufacture and expiry dates. Expired cranberry raw material was also found stored in the finished goods area.

FSSAI further noted that food handlers were not following appropriate hygiene practices. The facility recorded an overall compliance score of 38%, reflecting significant deficiencies in its food safety management system. According to the regulator, these deficiencies could pose a serious and immediate risk to public health and increase the possibility of unsafe food entering the market.

Chheda Specialities Foods Licence Suspended

FSSAI also suspended the licence of Chheda Specialities Foods in Maharashtra with immediate effect, citing serious food safety and hygiene failures.

The inspection identified several violations, including poor hygiene practices among food handlers, roof leakages, extensive fungal growth in edible oil storage tanks, inadequate waste management and unlabelled food containers.

The suspension will remain in place until the company implements comprehensive corrective measures covering sanitation and hygiene, pest control, waste management, infrastructure repairs and staff training, and demonstrates compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and applicable regulations.

FSSAI also pointed to a history of non-compliance at the facility. Several food samples collected during earlier inspections had been declared “Unsafe” or “Misbranded”, with legal proceedings still pending. The latest inspection recorded a critical non-compliance score of 42% (36 out of 86), indicating significant gaps in the facility’s food safety management system.

The latest actions underline FSSAI’s continued focus on addressing critical hygiene, storage, pest-control and food safety management failures before they can put consumers at risk.

Source: The Hindu Businessline