India’s food safety regulator has banned specific compounded hing products from two major brands. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ordered Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo and Company to stop sales immediately. Lab tests confirmed the products were misbranded and sub-standard under Indian food regulations.
Consumer Complaint Sparked Investigation
The case began with a consumer complaint about hing quality. FSSAI then intensified market surveillance across major brands. Legal samples were collected from retail markets and from manufacturing units of both companies in Mumbai. Lab reports confirmed serious violations in quality standards. FSSAI then issued immediate stop-sale directions to both firms.
Everest Hing Failed Key Quality Test
Tests on Everest’s mixed compounded asafoetida powder showed zero percent alcohol-soluble extract content. The minimum required standard is five percent under FSSAI rules. Yellow hing powder from Everest had only 3.29 percent. Black hing powder showed 4.4 percent. Both fell well below the mandatory threshold of five percent. Earlier routine surveillance had also flagged the same issue at Everest facilities.
LG Brand Products Had Excess Starch
For Laljee Godhoo and Company’s LG brand, regulators tested six different raw hing varieties. All six samples showed starch content between 15 and 32 percent. The maximum permitted starch limit in hing is just one percent under Indian regulations. FSSAI declared these products sub-standard and misbranded based on lab results.
Corrective Plans and Market Recall Ordered
Both companies must now submit corrective action plans to close their quality gaps. FSSAI has directed Everest to voluntarily recall all sub-standard products from the market. The ban covers only the specific compounded hing items named in the orders. It does not apply to all products of Everest or LG brands. Further regulatory action will depend on the compliance reports submitted by both companies. Consumers should check packaging and FSSAI license details before buying any hing products.
