A sample of red chilli powder from a Patanjali Foods manufacturing unit in Uttarakhand has been found unsafe after tests showed pesticide levels higher than what is allowed. The Health Ministry told the Lok Sabha on Friday that the sample was tested during the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s nationwide surveillance drive for 2024–25.
The FSSAI issued a recall order after the lab report confirmed the violation, and Patanjali Foods later removed the affected batch from the market. Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav shared this information in a written reply.
The ministry also said that no samples of Amul products have failed the safety standards set under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations. Officials clarified this because some reports had wrongly mentioned Amul among companies violating food safety rules.
Jadhav explained that food safety enforcement is carried out jointly by the Centre and State governments. He said FSSAI and State food safety departments regularly conduct inspections, special drives and random sampling of food items. According to him, any violation of food safety rules leads to action against the companies involved.
He added that constant surveillance, focused enforcement drives and the National Annual Surveillance Plan are part of the government’s effort to make sure that only safe food products reach consumers.
