FSSAI bans ghee sales and suspends license over food safety violations

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has taken enforcement action against two companies following serious food safety violations.

Marche Retail Private Limited, based in New Delhi, has had its food business license suspended for 30 days. An inspection of the facility revealed significant deficiencies regarding premises design, operational controls, hygiene, employee training, and mandatory record-keeping. The company has been ordered to cease all food business activities immediately to rectify these issues.

Additionally, SDP Industries Private Limited, located in Daman, has been ordered to stop the sale of all its ghee products until further notice. Laboratory testing of ghee samples sold under brands such as ‘Shraddha’, ‘Shri Saras’, and ‘Gokul’ revealed the presence of beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol that should not be present in pure ghee. The testing also showed that the fatty acid composition did not meet prescribed standards, suggesting the presence of external or vegetable fats.