The Official FSSAI Directive
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd to immediately recall a specific batch of its pre-packed cumin powder (jeera). The action was taken after a regulatory sample was tested and declared 'unsafe'
for consumption under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It is crucial to understand that this is not a blanket ban on all Everest products or even all of its cumin powder; the recall is strictly limited to one particular batch that failed safety tests. The sample in question was collected from a resort in Goa as part of routine checks.
Why Was It Recalled?
The recall was triggered after laboratory tests detected the presence of two pesticides—azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam—at levels exceeding the prescribed maximum limits. Azoxystrobin is a fungicide used to protect crops from fungal diseases, while thiamethoxam is an insecticide. While spices are often treated to prevent pests and mould, food safety regulations set strict maximum residue limits (MRLs) for these chemicals to ensure consumer safety. In this case, the tested sample contained amounts of these pesticides that were higher than what is considered safe for consumption. The initial finding was appealed by the manufacturer, but a second test at a Referral Food Laboratory confirmed the results, leading to the immediate recall order.
Which Specific Batch Is Affected?
This is the most important piece of information for consumers. The recall exclusively applies to Everest pre-packed cumin powder from Batch No. E080668761. You can find the batch number printed on the packaging of the product. If your packet of Everest cumin powder does not have this specific batch number, it is not part of this particular recall. Authorities have stressed that the order is batch-specific, so there is no need to discard Everest cumin powder from other batches.
What Consumers Should Do Now
If you have a packet of Everest cumin powder at home, the first step is to check the batch number printed on the pack. If it matches Batch No. E080668761, do not use the product. The FSSAI has directed Everest to withdraw all affected products from the market immediately. While specific instructions on consumer returns or refunds have not been widely publicised, the standard procedure involves either returning the product to the point of purchase or disposing of it safely. It is advisable not to consume the contents of any recalled product. Finding residues above the limit does not guarantee immediate illness, but it is a safety precaution that should be taken seriously.
Broader Context and Next Steps
Everest has been directed by the FSSAI to not only recall the batch but also to maintain complete records of the retrieved stock and submit reports on the process. The company must also implement corrective measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. This incident comes after Indian spice brands, including Everest, faced scrutiny in international markets like Hong Kong and Singapore in 2024 for different contaminants, highlighting an increasing focus on the quality control processes for spices. For consumers, it serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and checking for official updates from regulatory bodies like the FSSAI, which has increased its enforcement actions in recent months to safeguard public health.
