At this point in time popular Wai Wai noodles manufacturer CG Foods India Pvt Ltd has come under criticism at the company’s Roopnagar, Ajmer facility for food safety and hygiene violations at their manufacturing facility in Rajasthan for which FSSAI has detected serious food safety and hygiene violations.
During an inspection of the facility, food safety officials saw practices that raised concerns over hygiene, product handling, licensing, and packaging records. Production of the company’s Veg Bhujia Namkeen has been stopped after the inspection.
Broken Noodles found on the floor allegedly reused
One of the major concerns expressed during the inspection was the reuse of broken noodles that had fallen onto the floor. Such noodles were collected and reused as bhujia products were manufactured without proper temperature treatment, FSSAI stated.
The alleged practice has raised significant food safety concerns, particularly because food manufacturing facilities are expected to maintain strict hygiene and handling standards throughout the production process.
More than 32,000 Kg of stock seized
FSSAI officials seized 32,107.2 kg of stock, which contained loose broken noodles, according to the inspection.
Officials also found 1,925 boxes of expired prepared food products at the facility, officials said. All the products were seized, and further legal and regulatory actions were taken, according to reports.
The discovery of expired food items has added to concerns surrounding storage, inventory management and quality control at the facility.
Production Without Proper Permission
FSSAI also stated that two bhujia products - Wai Wai Mama and Wai Wai Mama Punte -- were being manufactured without the required permission or licence.
According to the regulator, this is a breach of Section 31(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which requires appropriate licensing or registration for food business operations.
Food manufacturers must obtain the necessary regulatory approvals before they produce and sell food products. Enforcement actions were initiated against the company after the violations were alleged.
Packaging Date Irregularities Reported
Packaging dates were another issue noted during the inspection. FSSAI found the use of pre-dated packaging dates, meaning dates were recorded earlier than the actual manufacturing date.
Quality production and packaging records are crucial to food safety compliance. This information is used by regulators and consumers to trace products and determine shelf life.
FSSAI Orders Production Halt
Due to the violations detected during the inspection, FSSAI ordered CG Foods India to stop the production of Veg Bhujia Namkeen at the inspected facility.
The company is also under regulatory and legal investigation.
But the action does not mean that all Wai Wai noodles are banned across India. The enforcement action is related to the specific manufacturing facility in Rajasthan and products and processes covered during the inspection.
Food Safety compliance under Spotlight
The development has once again brought the issue of food safety and quality control into the packaged food business in India. Maintaining proper hygiene, getting valid licences, preventing contamination, managing expired stock, and accurately recording manufacturing and packaging dates are the things all food businesses should do.
The CG Foods case highlights the importance of regulatory inspections to identify possible violations at food manufacturing facilities. Further investigation and legal proceedings could determine the next course of action in the matter.
And for consumers, the incident really underscores the importance of packaging details, expiry dates, and product information when buying packaged food products.
