The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Thursday, 13 August suspended the licences of three food business operators — A.B. Enterprise in Meghalaya, Zaiqaa Organixs (OPC) Private Limited, and Narayani Foods and Beverages in Odisha — with immediate effect, citing misleading health claims, grossly unhygienic manufacturing conditions, and serious food safety violations posing risks to public health.

Key Developments

The suspensions followed inspections and regulatory proceedings, with FSSAI announcing the action on social media platform X. Each firm was found to have violated mandatory food safety norms under Indian law, and all three have been directed to halt food business activities until further orders.

A.B. Enterprise: Misleading Claims and Missing Endorsements

A.B. Enterprise, based in Meghalaya, was found making unauthorised health benefit claims on product labels and promotional material, in violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018. The firm was also operating food business activities without the required manufacturing endorsement in its FSSAI licence.

FSSAI issued an improvement notice and subsequently offered a personal hearing, giving the operator an opportunity to respond. However, according to the regulator, no reply or further communication was received from the firm. 'The violations were found to be serious in nature and the claims had the potential to mislead and influence consumer behaviour,' FSSAI stated, ordering an immediate halt to all operations.

Zaiqaa Organixs: 12% Compliance Score, Rusted Equipment, Pest Concerns

Zaiqaa Organixs (OPC) Private Limited had its licence suspended after inspectors found extensive hygiene and sanitation deficiencies at its facility. The inspection uncovered food being manufactured, packed, and stored under unhygienic conditions, accompanied by poor housekeeping, pest-control concerns, rusted equipment, improper storage of raw materials and finished products, and inadequate process controls.

Labels carrying key details — including manufacturing dates, batch numbers, and use-by dates — were found missing on certain materials and products. The unit scored only 12% (10 out of 90) in its compliance assessment, placing it firmly in the non-compliance category. 'The presence of physical, chemical and biological hazards in food to an extent that poses serious public-health risks may render the food unsafe,' FSSAI said while ordering the suspension forthwith.

Narayani Foods and Beverages: Algae, Flies, and a 25% Compliance Score

Narayani Foods and Beverages in Odisha was cited for grossly unhygienic processing conditions and significant shortcomings in its food safety management system. Inspectors found poor sanitation, pest-entry points, algae contamination near water facilities, flies and cobwebs in processing and storage areas, corroded equipment, improper storage of finished goods, accumulation of waste in food-handling areas, and inadequate record-keeping.

The authority also observed the absence of key food-safety training records and documentation related to retained control samples. Narayani Foods and Beverages received a compliance score of 25% (20 out of 80), also within the non-compliance category. 'In view of the severe non-compliance with mandatory sanitary and hygienic requirements and the consequential food-safety risk, the licence has been suspended with immediate effect in the interest of public health and food safety,' FSSAI said.

What This Means for Consumers

The crackdown signals a renewed enforcement push by FSSAI against operators who flout labelling and hygiene norms. This comes amid growing scrutiny of food safety standards across India's fragmented food processing sector. Consumers who have purchased products from these three operators are advised to check labels and report concerns to FSSAI's helpline. All three firms remain barred from food business activities until the regulator lifts the suspension.