New Delhi: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Saturday said it has suspended the food business licence of Switz Foods Private Limited after an inspection of its manufacturing facility uncovered serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms.
In a post on social media platform X, the food regulator directed the company to immediately halt all food business activities at the facility until the identified deficiencies are rectified and full compliance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, is restored.
According to FSSAI, the inspection found multiple non-conformities that posed a significant risk to food safety. Food products were found to be manufactured, packed and stored under unhygienic conditions, raising the risk of contamination.
The authority also found inadequate cleaning and sanitation across the facility, including the crate-washing area, the non-vegetarian food reception section and the washing area near the carrot-cutting machine.
FSSAI said several pieces of equipment and food-contact surfaces, including machinery, crates, trays, trolleys, moulds and heated kettles, were inadequately cleaned and maintained.
Inspectors also found water leaking from air-conditioning pipelines over the product storage area, while the crate-washing equipment was found to be non-functional.
The inspection further revealed rust and corrosion on food-processing equipment and utensils, inadequate lighting and ventilation, and improper storage arrangements for food materials, chemicals and employees’ personal belongings.
The regulator also reported significant pest infestation, including flies, mosquitoes and fruit flies, as well as cobwebs, damp walls, peeling paint, broken floor tiles and oil residue across the premises.
In addition, FSSAI found improper segregation between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products, as well as between semi-finished and finished goods.
Raw materials and intermediate products were found without date markings, while a ready-to-eat chicken sandwich was found without mandatory labelling requirements.
The food regulator said Switz Foods will not be permitted to resume operations until all deficiencies are rectified and the manufacturing facility fully complies with food safety regulations.
With IANS inputs