FSSAI Orders Nationwide Recall of Everest Cumin Powder Batch After High Pesticide Residues Found

India's central food safety regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has ordered an immediate recall of a specific batch of Everest pre-packed cumin powder after laboratory testing revealed pesticide residues far exceeding legal limits.

Officials confirmed that routine testing of regulatory samples uncovered high levels of Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam. Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the elevated chemical content rendered the spice product officially "unsafe" for human consumption.

Laboratory Testing Triggers Formal Action

Inspectors originally drew the tested sample from the commercial premises of Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd. in Goa. Following an initial report by the designated food analyst, Everest's manufacturer exercised its statutory right to challenge the findings.

The case moved to a specialized Referral Food Laboratory for secondary examination. However, the referral facility validated the original test results, confirming that residue levels of both pesticides breached national safety limits and formalizing the product's classification as unsafe.

Affected Batch Details and Regulatory Directives

The recall targets a single production run currently in circulation:

• Brand Name: Everest Pre-Packed Cumin Powder
• Targeted Batch Number: E080668761
• Detected Substances: Azoxystrobin and Thiamethoxam (above maximum permissible limits)
• Testing Location: Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes Pvt. Ltd., Goa

Compliance Mandatory for Food Business Operator

FSSAI has issued strict instructions to the food business operator to pull all remaining stock of batch E080668761 off market shelves immediately. The manufacturer must maintain exhaustive inventory records detailing the exact volume of recalled goods and submit periodic status reports to authorities within set deadlines.

The regulator further mandated that the company implement comprehensive technical correctives across its supply chain and file a final compliance report once the entire batch is removed from distribution channels.