The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pune division, has directed three chikki manufacturers—two in Lonavala, near Mumbai, and one in Pune—to immediately cease the production and sale of their products.
In this regard, Suresh Deshmukh, joint commissioner, FDA Pune, had instructed the team concerned to carry out inspection. “A team headed by food safety inspectors inspected the manufacturing units in December last week and found several discrepancies. Thus, we have directed them to shut down their unit," informed Sampat Deshmukh, assistant commissioner, FDA Pune.
A press note on the issue mentioned that under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, it is the responsibility of manufacturer to provide safe and wholesome food, which is fit for human consumption.
The note stated that all the three chikki (a type of candy bar) manufacturers i.e., Tiwari Food Products and Sneha Food Products from Lonavala and Trishul Chikki Products from Pune were violating the food norms.
The products sold by these manufacturers were neither tested at FSSAI-accredited National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL) labs, nor do they have their own proper food testing lab. Further, the unit did not have a qualified person to supervise the production, and could not produce the laboratory report on potable water used by them.
Sampat Deshmukh stated, "We are yet to receive any response from all three FBOs. And thus, till the manufacturers comply with the directions given in notice, they are not allowed to manufacture and sell the chikki."
Earlier, in December, FDA had similarly instructed Maganlal Food Products, a Lonavala-based chikki manufacturer to stop the production and sale of its products for the alleged violation of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. During inspection it was found that it was not complying with various food safety norms. However, it is learnt that on December 26, the company was allowed to start its production since it complied with all the directions given to them by FDA. The company had to stop its production for around 14 days.
