At VKC Nuts, live insects were found in pistachios stored in the finished goods storage area, while heavy black mould and fungal growth was observed on the walls and ceilings of the raw material storage area.
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The inspection also found dirty, slippery and greasy flooring, rat droppings, damaged flooring and food remains eaten by rodents or pests. Rusted, dirty and damaged machinery was being used in the processing area, while plastic trays, crates, knives and containers were found old, chipped, damaged and dirty.
Paint and plaster were peeling from walls and ceilings at multiple locations. A live lizard was also found near the fumigation chamber, where Anjeer (figs) were kept open in uncovered crates. Several houseflies were found sitting on food products, while pest-control measures were found ineffective.
Rodent droppings were observed throughout the premises, and several cartons containing dates showed evidence of rodent damage and eaten food items.
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The inspection further found inadequate clearance around cartons, no insect fly-catcher machines in the raw material and finished goods storage areas, and inadequate segregation of raw materials, discarded products, work-in-process, intermediate products and finished goods.
Several raw material cartons did not have batch numbers, manufacturing dates or expiry dates, while expired cranberry raw material was found in the finished goods storage area.
The inspection recorded an overall compliance score of 38%, indicating significant deficiencies in the food safety management system. The FSSAI licence of VKC Nuts was partially suspended with immediate effect under the FSS Act, 2006, until further orders.
At Chheda Specialities Foods, food handlers were observed mixing besan dough with bare hands and peeling bananas while sitting on contaminated floors adjacent to decomposing waste.
The inspection also found extensive fungal growth around fresh and used edible oil storage tanks, inadequate waste management, and market-returned, rejected and expired food products stored beside raw material handling areas.
Roof leakages, damaged floors with stagnant water, flaking walls above exposed food and wastewater discharged directly onto the processing floor were also observed.
Raw materials and packaging materials were found stored directly on wet and dusty floors, while unlabelled food containers lacked batch details and date markings.
Multiple food samples collected during previous inspections had been declared “Unsafe” or “Misbranded”, with legal proceedings in those cases still ongoing, according to the notice.
The inspection recorded a critical non-compliance score of 42% (36/86). The FSSAI licence of Chheda Specialities Foods was suspended with immediate effect and will remain suspended until the food business operator implements corrective measures and demonstrates compliance with the FSS Act, 2006 and applicable regulations.