New Delhi: Big news has come out regarding spice company Everest. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI has put a temporary ban on the sale of Everest Asafoetida. During investigation, this product was found to be mislabeled and of poor quality.
Temporary ban on sale of Everest Asafoetida
FSSAI has clearly stated that this ban will continue until the company fully follows the required food safety standards. It is clear that the company will have to improve its quality and labeling only then the product will be able to come into the market again. Along with this, the sale of Lalji Godhu Asafoetida has also been banned and a warning has been issued to the company.
Irregularities found in three more spices too
FSSAI's investigation has revealed non-compliance of rules not only in asafoetida but also in three other spices of Everest. These include Everest Egg Curry Masala, Chicken Masala and Garam Masala.
Although it is a matter of relief that these three products have not been banned at present, but the company has been instructed to improve these also. This action has been taken keeping in mind the health of the consumers so that spices of poor quality are not sold in the market.
Now red warning label on packed food
This whole matter has come to light when FSSAI told the Supreme Court that it has given a new proposal for front-of-pack warning label for packed food.
Under this proposal, a dark red hexagonal mark i.e. a mark with six corners will be placed on those products which contain high amounts of sugar, salt or saturated fat. With this, customers will be able to easily know which product is more harmful for health.
The proposal came after the rebuke of the Supreme Court
Let us tell you that this proposal has been presented just a few days after the Supreme Court bench reprimanded FSSAI and the government for the delay in bringing the front-of-pack label. Justice JB Pardiwala was presiding over this bench.
The court had said that there should not be so much delay in this important decision related to people's health. On the other hand, the food industry has expressed concern over some aspects of the proposed rules. Groups representing Coca-Cola and Nestle and PepsiCo have opposed some of the measures.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Munde has urged food businesses not to limit themselves to just following the rules but to act more responsibly towards consumers.