Consumer alert: Patanjali foods recalls red chilli powder due to pesticide residue issues

Patanjali Foods Ltd has recalled 4 tonnes of red chilli powder from markets following the direction from food regulator FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) asked Patanjali Foods to recall a specified batch of packed red chilli powder due to non-conformity with food safety norms.

Statement from the CEO

"Patanjali Foods has recalled a small batch of 4 tonnes of 'Red Chilli Powder (200 gram pack)," the company's CEO Sanjeev Asthana said in a statement. "The product sample when tested was found not conforming to the maximum permitted limit of pesticide residue. The FSSAI sets Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residue for various food items including red chilli powder," he said.

Immediate Actions Taken

In line with specified regulatory norms, Asthana said the company has taken immediate steps to inform its distribution channel partners and also released advertisements to reach out to the consumers who have purchased the product. He urged customers to return the product to the place of purchase and claim a full refund.

Minimal Impact of Recall

"The value and volume of the recall product is very small," Asthana said. The company is undertaking an assessment of its agricultural produce suppliers and taking measures to have stringent quality control processes for procurement of agricultural produce and to ensure full compliance with FSSAI regulations, he added.

Commitment to Quality Standards

"The company stands committed to maintaining the highest quality standards in all its products and ensuring a fully compliant supply chain," Asthana said. The food safety regulator "has directed Patanjali Foods to initiate recall of the entire batch of implicated food (i.e., red chilli powder (packed) of Batch No. AJD2400012 due to non-conformance of Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011," Patanjali Foods said on Thursday.

Company Background

Incorporated in 1986, Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved group firm Patanjali Foods (erstwhile Ruchi Soya) is one of India's top FMCG players. The company is present in edible oils, food and FMCG, and wind power generation sectors. It sells products under various brands like Patanjali, Ruchi Gold, Nutrela, etc.

Financial Performance

Patanjali Foods posted a 21 percent increase in standalone net profit to Rs 308.97 crore for the September quarter. Its net profit stood at Rs 254.53 crore in the year-ago period.

(Except for the headline, nothing has been changed by All India News Network in the PTI copy.)