FSSAI bans Everest and Lalji Godhu compounded asafoetida

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an immediate ban on the sale of compounded asafoetida (hing) products from Everest Food Products and Lalji Godhu & Company. The decision follows investigations triggered by a consumer complaint, which led to a broader market inspection of various asafoetida brands.

Laboratory testing revealed that the products failed to meet mandatory quality standards. Specifically, regulations require compounded asafoetida to contain at least 5 percent alcohol-soluble extract. However, samples from both companies showed levels significantly below this threshold, with some samples containing as little as 0 to 3 percent. In some instances, the extract level was found to be zero percent. This indicates that the amount of real asafoetida used was approximately 30 to 40 percent lower than required.

In addition to the low extract levels, investigations into Lalji Godhu’s pure asafoetida varieties showed excessive starch content. The FSSAI has advised the companies to recall substandard products from the market. The ban is strictly limited to their compounded asafoetida products; other items such as chicken curry masala, egg curry masala, and garam masala from these brands are not affected by this order.