South 24 Parganas, September 6 (Daily Kiran) : The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on September 6 that it has suspended the licenses of two food businesses, Kailash Formulations and Sainikyor Water Project, located in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. This action comes after serious violations of food safety regulations were discovered during inspections. The FSSAI emphasized that the decision was made to protect public health, and the licenses will remain suspended until further notice.
During the inspection and enforcement campaign in the district, significant breaches related to cleanliness, sanitation, food safety, and regulatory compliance were noted at both establishments. The FSSAI found that Kailash Formulations did not maintain satisfactory cleanliness and sanitation standards. The inspection team reported a lack of adequate handwashing, changing facilities, and personal hygiene provisions for employees.
Additionally, there were no medical examination records, vaccination documentation, or personal hygiene records for food handling staff. The company failed to present essential laboratory test reports, calibration records for equipment, certificates of analysis (COA), control sample records, and other mandatory documents.
The inspection revealed further issues, including inadequate lighting, peeling plaster and paint on walls, deficiencies in waste management, improper maintenance of old stock, absence of preventive maintenance records, and missing sewage disposal records. The FSSAI also noted non-compliance with regulations regarding packaging materials, raw materials, and training. Required food-grade certificates and migration reports for packaging materials, including PET bottles and caps, were not available. Following a detailed investigation, the authority concluded that there were serious violations of food safety and hygiene standards at the facility.
The inspection of Sainikyor Water Project also uncovered significant deficiencies. Officials reported poor sanitation conditions, inadequate pest control, and a widespread pest infestation, raising serious food safety concerns. Personal hygiene arrangements, including handwashing facilities and toilets, were found to be insufficient, and there was a lack of regular maintenance for machines and equipment, with signs of rust and corrosion evident on several items.
Moreover, the investigation revealed the absence of crucial documents, including pest control agreements, health and vaccination records for employees, control sample records, customer complaint registers, corrective and preventive action (CAPA) records, and vehicle cleanliness checklists. There were also no available reports for the analysis of drinking water, raw materials, and chemicals. The FSSAI discovered that a laboratory record related to water testing had been digitally altered, which is considered a serious irregularity.
The FSSAI reiterated that food business operators must adhere to standards of food safety, hygiene, and documentation compliance. The authority made it clear that any compromise on consumer health would not be tolerated, and strict action against violating entities would continue.
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