FSSAI tells Patanjali to recall chilli powder batch on food safety grounds

FSSAI demanded the recall citing “non-conformance of Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011

by e4m Desk
Published: Jan 24, 2025 2:09 PM | 1 min read

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reportedly asked Patanjali Food Ltd to recall a specific batch of packed red chilli powder. According to the company’s regulatory filing, FSSAI demanded the recall citing “non-conformance of Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.”

Batch No. - AJD2400012 of Patanjali Chilli Powder has been marked for recall.

While FSSAI has not specified the nature of the safety issue, red chilli powders are usually contaminated with mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A and adulterants such red brick powder, sawdust, soapstone and red oxide.

Recently, a Kerala court issued bailable warrants against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy over allegations of misleading advertisements. The Judicial First Class Magistrate II in Palakkad issued the order on January 16 after the accused failed to appear despite being summoned for a personal hearing.

The case involves advertisements by Divya Pharmacy, a subsidiary of Patanjali Ayurved, accused of violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The ads allegedly made unfounded claims about curing diseases and disparaged modern medical practices, including allopathy.