Broken noodles collected from floor and reprocessed into bhujia, sale of unlicensed products, and other deficiencies in hygiene – officials of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) found all this and more as it conducted an inspection at the manufacturing unit of a namkeen brand in Ajmer.

The food regulator has initiated enforcement action against CG Foods India Private Limited after FSSAI officials visited its manufacturing unit in Roopangarh area of Ajmer.

The officials found alleged food safety, hygiene and regulatory violations and the company has been directed to stop production of Veg Bhujia namkeen products without required approvals.

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According to details released by the FSSAI on Wednesday, officials inspected the facility to verify manufacturing and hygiene practices and found broken noodles collected from the floor being reprocessed into bhujia products without heat treatment.

The inspection also found the manufacturing of unlicensed bhujia variants, including products identified as “Wai-Wai Mama” and “Wai-Wai Mama Punte”, in alleged violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

“The unit was found re-processing floor-collected, broken noodles into bhujia products without heat treatment, along with using predated packaging dates. Unlicensed manufacturing of ‘Wai-Wai MaMa’ and ‘Wai-Wai Mama Punte’ bhujia variants was identified in direct violation of Section 31(1) of the FSS Act, 2006,” FSSAI said.

Over 32,000 kg of stock seized

Officials seized around 32, 107.2 kg of stock, including loose broken noodles, from the premises. The FSSAI said the inspection also revealed deficiencies in hygiene, documentation and pest-control records.

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Several samples, including loose noodle material, Veg Bhujia products, cooking oil from the frying line and Wai-Wai Ready to Eat noodles, have been sent for laboratory analysis.

The authorities also detained 1,925 boxes of expired finished products and initiated legal proceedings against the food business operator.

Production of Veg Bhujia namkeen products without the required approvals has been directed to stop, while further action will depend on the laboratory reports and findings of the inspection.

The FSSAI warned the company of further regulatory action on the basis of laboratory analysis and inspection findings.

(With PTI inputs)