The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced on Sunday the suspension of the Marche Retail license and issued a prohibition order for SDP Industries.
In a post on the social media platform X, the regulator stated that the suspension of the retail chain Marche Retail's license (which operates Le Marche Retail) was carried out after discovering serious violations during initial and subsequent inspections of food business premises. The retail chain's license was immediately suspended for a period of 30 days.
FSSAI directed the food enterprise operator to immediately cease all food business activities until the identified deficiencies are rectified and compliance is confirmed by the competent authority.
Regarding SDP Industries, an order was issued banning the sale of non-compliant ghee products due to concerns about adulteration. FSSAI notified that SDP Industries must immediately stop selling all types of ghee produced, stored, or sold at its authorized locations and ensure that the prohibited products do not enter the market or are sold to consumers until further notice.
Furthermore, concerning Marche Retail, it was noted that the inspection revealed issues related to design, operational control, sanitation, personal hygiene, employee training, and maintenance of mandatory documentation. Mandatory medical records for employees were also missing, and prescribed safety and hygiene documentation was not properly maintained.
FSSAI reported that the overall compliance score for the unit in the repeat inspection was only 37 percent, placing it in the category of non-compliant.
As for SDP Industries, the regulator indicated that numerous ghee products manufactured by the company, including variants under the brands SHRADDHA, SHREE SARAS, and GOKUL, were found to be non-compliant with the applicable requirements of the FSS Act, 2006, and subordinate legislation. FSSAI added that because the violations were multiple and ongoing across various samples, periods, and product variants, the issue could not be limited to any single batch or product.