The food regulator cited unhygienic manufacturing conditions, pest infestation, inadequate equipment maintenance and poor segregation of food products during its inspection
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has suspended the licence of Switz Foods following an inspection that found multiple food safety violations at the company’s manufacturing facility, including inadequate sanitation, pest infestation and poor segregation of food products. The food regulator announced the action in a social media post on Saturday, citing “serious non-compliances” at the facility. It said the conditions in which food was manufactured, packed and stored posed a significant contamination risk.
“Food was being manufactured, packed and stored in unhygienic conditions, posing a high risk of contamination and compromising food safety,” the FSSAI said.
The regulator has directed Switz Foods to immediately cease all food business activities. The company must rectify the deficiencies identified during the inspection and comply with the requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, before operations can resume, subject to the satisfaction of the competent authority.
Sanitation And Maintenance Lapses
The inspection found that the overall cleaning and sanitation of the manufacturing premises were unsatisfactory, according to the FSSAI. The regulator identified hygiene concerns in several areas, including the crate-washing section, reception area, washing area and carrot-cutting machine.
“Unhygienic conditions were observed in the crate washing area, reception area, washing area, and carrot cutting machine,” the FSSAI said.
The inspection also found inadequate cleaning and maintenance of equipment and other food-handling items. These included machinery, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) crates, trays, trolleys, moulds and heated kettles. Pest infestation was another concern identified during the inspection. The FSSAI reported the presence of flies, mosquitoes and fruit flies, as well as cobwebs across the premises. The regulator also flagged broken floor tiles and grease accumulation in corners.
Food Handling, Segregation Concerns
The FSSAI also identified shortcomings in the handling and storage of raw materials and semi-finished food products. “Raw materials and semi-finished food products were not properly covered. Dustbins in food handling areas, and drainage systems were not fitted with proper lids,” the regulator said.
The facility also lacked adequate segregation between raw materials and finished products, according to the FSSAI. The regulator further found that vegetarian and non-vegetarian food products were not being properly segregated.
The violations cover multiple aspects of food safety, including sanitation, equipment maintenance, pest control, food storage and segregation.
Switz Foods will need to address the deficiencies identified by the regulator and demonstrate compliance with applicable food safety requirements before it can resume operations, subject to approval from the competent authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
