Mumbai, August 29, 2026:

To protect consumer interests and ensure food safety, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a Prohibition of Sale order for Compounded Hing (Asafoetida) manufactured by two prominent spice brands: M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and M/s Laljee Godhoo and Company (LG Brand Unit).

Following a consumer complaint regarding the quality of Compounded Hing of a specific brand, the FSSAI initiated comprehensive market surveillance covering all major brands in the market. Primary laboratory test reports from this surveillance indicated that Compounded Hing products from both Everest and LG were substandard.

The FSSAI conducted legal sampling directly from the centrally licensed units of M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited and the LG Brand Unit, both located in Mumbai. These samples were sent to a primary laboratory for further testing. Additionally, the FSSAI collaborated with the Gujarat State FDA to conduct a joint inspection and sampling at the state-licensed unit of Everest Food Products Private Limited in Umbergaon, Gujarat. The primary laboratory confirmed that all legal samples of Compounded Hing collected during these operations were substandard.

Under the FSS (Food Products Standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011, Compounded Hing is an admissible category constituted by blending Raw Hing, Gum Arabic, starches, and flours. The regulations dictate a minimum addition of Raw Hing to guarantee at least a 5% alcohol soluble extract in the final Compounded Hing product. The laboratory findings revealed significant deviations from these safety standards:

1. Low Alcohol Soluble Extract: The tested Compounded Hing samples contained only 0-3% alcohol soluble extract, falling significantly short of the mandated 5% minimum. This indicates that the manufacturers were adding 30-40% less of the required Raw Hing into the consumer products.
2. Excessive Starch Content in Raw Hing: The FSSAI also sampled six varieties of Raw Hing alongside finished goods at the LG Brand Unit in Mumbai. While FSSAI standards cap starch content in Raw Hing at a maximum of 1%, the laboratory confirmed that all six LG Raw Hing varieties contained between 15% and 32% starch, classifying them as sub-standard. By regulation, Raw Hing itself must contain a minimum of 12% alcohol soluble extract.

Given that multiple batches of Compounded Hing were observed to be non-compliant with established quality standards, the FSSAI has formally issued a Prohibition of Sale order to M/s Everest Food Products Private Limited, Mumbai, and the LG Brand Unit, Mumbai. This administrative action is a preventive measure executed to safeguard public health and protect consumers' interests.

Furthermore, the FSSAI has directed the involved Food Business Operators to submit a comprehensive action plan detailing how they will rectify these malpractices and ensure the production of standard Compounded Hing for consumers. The manufacturers have also been advised to initiate a voluntary recall of all substandard products currently in the market.

***

Supriya Ghaytadak/Yash Rane/Parshuram Kor

Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai  pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com  /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai

(Release ID: 2304491) Visitor Counter : 1668