What Happened

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a Prohibition of Sale order for Compounded Hing (Asafoetida) manufactured by M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and M/s Laljee Godhoo and Company (LG Brand Unit). This administrative action follows laboratory test reports indicating that their Compounded Hing products were substandard.

The FSSAI initiated market surveillance after receiving a consumer complaint regarding the quality of Compounded Hing. This led to primary laboratory testing and subsequent legal sampling from the centrally licensed units of both companies in Mumbai. A joint inspection and sampling were also conducted at Everest Food Products Private Limited's state-licensed unit in Umbergaon, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Gujarat State FDA.

Key Facts

  • The Prohibition of Sale order was issued on August 29, 2026.
  • The order applies to Compounded Hing from M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and M/s Laljee Godhoo and Company (LG Brand Unit).
  • Primary laboratory tests confirmed that all legal samples of Compounded Hing collected from these brands were substandard.
  • Compounded Hing samples contained 0-3% alcohol soluble extract, falling short of the mandated 5% minimum.
  • This indicates 30-40% less Raw Hing was added than required by regulations.
  • Six varieties of Raw Hing sampled from the LG Brand Unit contained 15-32% starch, exceeding the FSSAI standard cap of 1%.
  • FSSAI regulations stipulate that Raw Hing must contain a minimum of 12% alcohol soluble extract.
  • The FSSAI has directed the involved Food Business Operators to submit an action plan for rectification and to initiate a voluntary recall of substandard products.

Why It Matters

This action by the FSSAI is a preventive measure executed to safeguard public health and protect consumers' interests. It addresses deviations from established quality standards in widely consumed products.

What To Watch

The manufacturers, M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and the LG Brand Unit, are directed to submit comprehensive action plans to rectify malpractices and ensure standard production. Consumers can monitor the voluntary recall of substandard products.