India's food regulator shuts down West Bengal bakery and orders cumin powder recall

FSSAI announced the suspension of Creative Bakers and Confectioners Pvt Ltd’s licence in West Bengal after inspectors documented severe sanitation failures, including visible dirt, grease, dust, cobwebs, flies, open storage of perishable raw materials, rusted equipment, and inadequate pest control measures. The regulator also cited missing food-safety records such as water testing, temperature monitoring and training logs.

In a separate case, Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd was directed to recall its pre-packed cumin powder after laboratory analysis detected azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam levels exceeding permitted limits. The contaminated batch, sourced from Riverside Resorts & Holiday Homes in Goa, was confirmed unsafe by a referral laboratory. Both firms must cease food-related activities during the suspension and recall periods, maintain detailed records, and submit compliance reports to FSSAI.