FSSAI penalises Sopan Restaurant for sub-standard milk on Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express
Synopsis
FSSAI has penalised Sopan Restaurant for selling sub-standard milk on the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express — the latest in a string of enforcement actions against railway catering operators. The case, triggered by an Assam lab finding on Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk, underscores the regulator's sharpening focus on food quality aboard long-distance trains.
Key Takeaways
FSSAI has imposed a penalty on Sopan Restaurant for selling sub-standard food on the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express .
A sample of Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk from Pantry Car No.
15904 was found sub-standard by the State Public Health Laboratory, Assam .
Adjudication proceedings were initiated under Section 68 of the FSS Act, 2006 by the officer at Alipurduar .
The penalty amount was not disclosed by FSSAI.
In a separate action this week, FSSAI also suspended the licence of Punjab-based Rehaan Healthcare over manufacturing violations.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has imposed a penalty on Sopan Restaurant for selling sub-standard food aboard the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, after laboratory analysis confirmed that a milk sample collected from the train's pantry car failed to meet prescribed quality norms. The adjudication order marks the latest enforcement action by the food regulator against railway catering operators.
What the Violation Involved
The action centres on a sample of Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk collected from Pantry Car No. 15904 of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express. The sample was tested by the State Public Health Laboratory in Assam, which declared it sub-standard under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
Following the laboratory findings, the Designated Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway at Maligaon forwarded the analysis report to the manufacturer and other concerned parties for further action.
How the Adjudication Proceeded
The adjudicating officer at Alipurduar issued notices under Section 68 of the FSS Act, 2006, initiating formal adjudication proceedings against the restaurant. Based on those proceedings, a penalty was imposed on the authorised representative of Sopan Restaurant for the sale of sub-standard food. FSSAI did not disclose the quantum of the penalty.
FSSAI announced the order in a post on social media platform X, stating: An adjudication order has been passed against Sopan Restaurant following analysis of a Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk sample collected from Pantry Car No. 15904 (Chandigarh - Dibrugarh Express).
Part of a Wider Enforcement Drive
This action comes amid intensified enforcement by FSSAI against food business operators across the country. Earlier this week, the regulator suspended the licence of Punjab-based Rehaan Healthcare after inspections revealed serious violations at its manufacturing facility producing health supplements and nutraceuticals. The company was directed to halt production until all deficiencies are rectified and verified by the competent authority.
Notably, railway pantry cars have come under recurring scrutiny over food quality, with FSSAI periodically conducting surprise checks on catering contractors operating on major rail routes.
What Happens Next
The penalty order against Sopan Restaurant is enforceable under the FSS Act. The regulator's continued crackdown signals that food business operators on railway networks face heightened compliance risk. Further inspections across other pantry cars and catering contractors on long-distance express routes are widely expected as part of FSSAI's ongoing enforcement calendar.
Point of View
It is difficult to assess whether the FSS Act's financial penalties are proportionate enough to change operator behaviour. FSSAI's enforcement calendar is visibly busier, but the test is whether adjudication orders translate into lasting compliance rather than one-off corrections. A public disclosure framework for penalty amounts would strengthen accountability considerably.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did FSSAI penalise Sopan Restaurant?
FSSAI penalised Sopan Restaurant because a sample of Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk collected from Pantry Car No. 15904 of the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express was found sub-standard by the State Public Health Laboratory in Assam. The penalty was imposed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
What was the sub-standard product found on the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express?
The product in question was Nova Flavoured Double Toned Milk, sampled from the train's pantry car and tested by the Assam state laboratory, which declared it below prescribed quality standards under the FSS Act, 2006.
How much was the penalty imposed on Sopan Restaurant?
FSSAI did not disclose the amount of the penalty imposed on the authorised representative of Sopan Restaurant. The adjudication order was passed by the officer at Alipurduar following proceedings under Section 68 of the FSS Act, 2006.
Which authority conducted the adjudication against Sopan Restaurant?
The adjudicating officer at Alipurduar issued notices and conducted proceedings under Section 68 of the FSS Act, 2006. The Designated Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway at Maligaon had earlier forwarded the lab report to the manufacturer and other concerned parties.
Is this part of a broader FSSAI crackdown?
Yes. The action against Sopan Restaurant is part of intensified enforcement by FSSAI against food business operators nationally. Earlier this week, the regulator also suspended the licence of Punjab-based Rehaan Healthcare for serious violations at its health supplement manufacturing facility.
