FSSAI halts Everest and Laljee Godhoo compounded asafoetida sales
FSSAI has prohibited Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo from selling compounded asafoetida after samples were found misbranded and below the mandated 5% alcohol-soluble extract standard. Everest must submit corrective measures before compliant products can return to market.
What happened
Everest Food Products Private Limited · FSSAI prohibited Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo from selling compounded asafoetida after tests found products
Key facts
- Alcohol-soluble extract minimum standard: 5%
- One sample alcohol-soluble extract: 0%
- Yellow Hing Powder alcohol-soluble extract: 3.29%
- Black Hing Powder alcohol-soluble extract: 4.4%
- Food Safety and Standards Act: 2006
- Food Products and Food Additives Regulations: 2011
Why this matters
The enforcement action may create an opening for compliant spice suppliers or acquisition targets with validated quality systems, though diligence should prioritize formulation and labeling controls.
What to watch
- FSSAI publication of batch numbers, test results, duration of the prohibition, or additional enforcement notices.
- Acceptance or rejection of Everest's corrective-measures submission and timing of any relaunch approval.
- New sample failures involving other compounded asafoetida brands, regional suppliers, or related spice categories.
- Retailer and e-commerce delistings beyond the specifically affected products.
- Price increases or stock-outs in compounded hing, alongside gains in pure asafoetida or competing brands.
- Pull affected compounded asafoetida SKUs from shelves, marketplaces, and distributor inventory; isolate existing stock by batch.
- Submit a documented corrective-action plan covering formulation, alcohol-soluble extract testing, supplier controls, labels, and batch-release procedures.
- Run independent laboratory validation across all hing and adjacent spice-blend SKUs, not only the cited products.
- Notify distributors and key retail accounts with a compliance timeline and replacement-SKU plan to limit permanent shelf-space losses.
- Monitor competitor availability and pricing; use compliant substitutes or alternate pack formats to retain household demand.