The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued notices to several food business operators, including Nestlé India, KFC and Flipkart, over allegations of selling contaminated products and operating in unhygienic conditions after learning of social media complaints, according to people familiar with the matter.
“It is true that the notices have gone out to several food companies. The notices have been issued based on social media complaints raised by consumers regarding compliance issues by some food companies and brands that have recently gone viral on social media,” said a senior official of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, requesting anonymity.
According to reports, notices have been issued to Nestlé India over Maggi, KFC, Flipkart and food brand Open Secret due to the alleged lapses. The top food regulator acted on its slogan after at least three separate complaints were made that were widely circulated online.
The notice served to Nestle was reportedly in relation to allegations of insects being found inside a packet of Maggi noodles, for which the FSSAI has sought an action taken report containing details of the vendor, internal quality inspection records of the said batch, corrective measures taken to remove the affected product from the supply chain and steps being implemented to prevent recurrence of the problem.
Nestlé refuted the allegations, saying: “We categorically reject the allegations circulating in the media, which is an unverified account regarding the existence of an alleged infestation on Maggi noodles. We are yet to receive the sample complaint from the complainant as the account cannot be accessed. A detailed representation, supported by all relevant facts, quality records from batch and market samples, and test reports, has already been submitted to the relevant authorities.”
The notice was issued to KFC to one of its outlets at MVR Mall in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, after there were allegations that the outlet was operating in unhygienic conditions. The regulatory body has requested details of deficiencies related to hygiene, sanitation, food handling, storage, waste management, pest control and staff hygiene, along with documented evidence of corrective and preventive measures in this regard.
The third notice was sent to the Open Secret product – “Unjunked Dates” – due to allegations that the product delivered through Flipkart Minutes contained insects.
The FSSAI has sought internal quality control records, details of corrective actions taken to remove the product from the supply chain and measures aimed at preventing similar incidents from both parties involved, according to people familiar with the matter.
