Nepal has banned the import and sale of Priyagold biscuits after inspections in India revealed that bran intended for cattle feed was used in their production.
The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has notified all importing agencies and food business operators to cease sales of Priyagold biscuits and withdraw all products from the market.
Currently, the approval for import and entry permits for these products has been suspended.
Cattle Feed Bran Found in Biscuit Manufacturing
This ban follows a notice from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI to Surya Food and Agro Limited, the owner of the Priyagold brand, on October 17.
The FSSAI conducted an inspection after receiving a consumer complaint and found that the company used cattle feed bran as a fiber source.
The bran was labeled as cattle feed and deemed unsuitable for human consumption.
Additionally, the inspection revealed multiple hygiene and safety violations, such as insect infestations and poor staff hygiene, leading to the suspension of the company’s license and initiation of legal actions.
Recall of All Priyagold Biscuit Batches in Nepal
Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has instructed all importing agencies, distributors, and retailers to immediately stop selling Priyagold biscuits and recall all available products from the market.
The notice states that all batches and dates of the products will be recalled, regardless of batch numbers.
Businesses must ensure proper documentation and disposal of the recalled products in the presence of local authorities and technical experts.
Appropriate actions will be taken against any businesses that continue selling the product.
Penalties for Violating Food Hygiene and Quality Act
According to the notice, businesses that do not comply with the department’s directives will face penalties under the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2024 (2081 BS).
This incident highlights concerns about the monitoring of imported products and the enforcement of food safety and quality measures in the country.
Importing agencies, distributors, and retailers are expected to adhere to the notice and ensure the product is removed from the market.
Consumers are advised to stay updated on this situation and verify that the product has been taken off store shelves.
Further updates will be provided by the authorities as they become available.