India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has initiated prosecution proceedings against three food businesses over separate food-safety violations involving biscuits, milk and yellow raisins. The companies are Surya Food & Agro, which manufactures Priyagold biscuits; Dodla Dairy; and UEIR Organic Foods. The regulator announced the action on October 17, 2026, following inspections and laboratory findings that raised concerns about raw materials, product safety and compliance with food standards.
The most prominent case involves Surya Food & Agro, where inspectors reportedly found bran intended for cattle feed being used as a source of fibre in Priyagold biscuit manufacturing. FSSAI said it had already suspended the manufacturer’s licence after identifying serious non-compliance. In the other cases, referral laboratory testing found a Dodla Dairy full-cream milk sample unsafe because of detergent or caustic soda and below the prescribed milk-fat level, while pesticide residues were detected in yellow raisins sold by UEIR Organic Foods. The prosecution proceedings mark an enforcement step, not a final court conviction.
Key Takeaways
- Priyagold biscuits: FSSAI said Surya Food & Agro used bran intended for cattle feed as a raw material in biscuit manufacturing.
- Licence suspended: The regulator said Surya Food & Agro’s licence had already been suspended after an inspection found serious deficiencies.
- Dodla Dairy: A full-cream milk sample was found unsafe after referral testing detected detergent or caustic soda, with milk fat below the required minimum.
- UEIR Organic Foods: FSSAI initiated prosecution proceedings after pesticide residues were found in a sample of yellow raisins.
- Additional notices: Notices were also issued to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal over separate concerns.
- Legal status: The cases involve regulatory proceedings; the companies’ guilt has not been established by a final court judgment in the reporting cited here.
- Consumer relevance: The cases highlight the importance of raw-material controls, laboratory testing, storage practices and hygiene in food production.
What FSSAI Found at Priyagold’s Manufacturer
The action against Surya Food & Agro followed a consumer complaint that led to an inspection of the company’s manufacturing operations. FSSAI reported that inspectors found bran meant for cattle feed being used as a fibre source in Priyagold biscuit production.
According to the regulator, the bran was stored in gunny bags marked to indicate that it was intended for cattle feed rather than human consumption. FSSAI also identified deficiencies involving plant hygiene, pest control, raw-material storage and segregation, personnel hygiene, premises maintenance and the handling of intermediate formulations.
These findings raised concerns beyond the use of the ingredient itself. Food manufacturers are expected to ensure that ingredients are suitable for human consumption, properly identified and stored under conditions that prevent contamination or mix-ups.
Why the use of cattle-feed bran matters
Bran is the outer layer of cereal grains and can be used in different food and animal-feed applications. However, material intended for animal feed cannot automatically be treated as suitable for human food.
The suitability of an ingredient depends on factors including its source, processing, quality, contaminants, storage and compliance with applicable food standards. Materials supplied for animal feed may be handled or produced under specifications that do not meet the requirements for food intended for people.
FSSAI said the bran was being used as a source of fibre in biscuit manufacturing. The issue therefore concerns both the intended use of the material and the controls governing its entry into the food-production process.
The inspection also reportedly identified shortcomings in storage and segregation. Such controls are important because manufacturers must be able to identify incoming ingredients, keep unsuitable materials separate and trace the raw materials used in finished products.
What happened to the manufacturer’s licence?
FSSAI said Surya Food & Agro’s licence had already been suspended after the serious non-compliances were observed. The regulator subsequently obtained sanction to initiate prosecution proceedings.
A licence suspension and prosecution are distinct regulatory actions. Suspension affects a business’s authorisation to operate under the relevant food-safety licence, subject to the terms of the order and any subsequent regulatory decisions. Prosecution brings alleged violations into the legal process, where the case must proceed under the applicable law.
The available reporting does not establish a final court judgment against Surya Food & Agro. The legal proceedings should therefore be described as an enforcement action based on the regulator’s findings rather than a completed conviction.
Dodla Dairy Milk Sample Found Unsafe After Referral Testing
The second case concerns a regulatory sample of Dodla Dairy’s full-cream milk. FSSAI said the initial analysis found that the sample did not meet the prescribed milk-fat specifications and classified it as substandard.
After the company appealed, the sample was referred to a referral food laboratory for further analysis. According to FSSAI, the referral laboratory confirmed that the sample was unsafe because of the presence of detergent or caustic soda. It also found that the milk-fat content was below the minimum prescribed limit.
The findings led the regulator to initiate prosecution proceedings against Dodla Dairy and other concerned food businesses associated with the manufacture and marketing of the product.
Why detergent or caustic soda in milk is a serious concern
Milk is subject to specific compositional and safety standards. Testing can assess whether it meets required levels of fat and other parameters, while laboratory analysis can identify substances that should not be present.
The reported detection of detergent or caustic soda is significant because these substances are not acceptable substitutes for legitimate milk ingredients. Their presence can raise safety concerns, depending on the substance, concentration and circumstances of contamination or adulteration.
The milk-fat finding is a separate issue. Full-cream milk must meet the applicable minimum fat specification, and a sample below that threshold can be classified as substandard even apart from any other safety finding.
The regulator’s account does not mean that every Dodla Dairy product or every milk batch was found unsafe. The reported finding relates to the tested sample and the resulting regulatory action. Consumers should rely on official notices and subsequent regulatory updates for any product-specific directions.
UEIR Organic Foods Faces Action Over Yellow Raisins
FSSAI has also initiated prosecution proceedings against UEIR Organic Foods after pesticide residues were detected in a sample of yellow raisins sold by the company.
Pesticides are used in agriculture to manage insects, fungi and other crop threats. Food-safety rules establish limits for residues that may remain on or in food. These limits are intended to ensure that residues stay within permitted levels under the applicable standards.
The concern in the UEIR case was that the sample contained pesticide residues that prompted regulatory action. Reporting on the case said further laboratory analysis identified residues above the prescribed limits.
This is particularly relevant for dried fruit because raisins may be eaten directly, used in snacks or added to foods without further cooking. Testing and traceability are therefore important parts of ensuring that products meet the applicable requirements before reaching consumers.
The case also highlights the distinction between a product being marketed as organic and a regulator’s laboratory findings. An organic label does not eliminate the need for testing, documentation and compliance with applicable food-safety and residue requirements.
Consumers should not infer from this case alone that all yellow raisins or all products sold by UEIR Organic Foods are unsafe. The reported action concerns the sample and regulatory findings identified by FSSAI.
Three Cases, Three Different Types of Food-Safety Failure
Although the three companies face proceedings announced together, the reported issues are different. They involve ingredient suitability, product composition and chemical residues.
| Company | Product or issue | Reported finding | Regulatory action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surya Food & Agro | Priyagold biscuits | Bran intended for cattle feed used as a fibre source; hygiene and storage deficiencies | Licence suspended earlier; prosecution proceedings initiated |
| Dodla Dairy | Full-cream milk | Detergent or caustic soda detected; milk fat below the prescribed minimum | Prosecution proceedings initiated after referral testing |
| UEIR Organic Foods | Yellow raisins | Pesticide residues detected above permitted limits, according to reporting | Prosecution proceedings initiated |
The table summarises FSSAI’s reported findings and the subsequent regulatory actions. The proceedings are not equivalent to final court convictions.
The differences matter because food safety depends on several layers of control. Ingredient approval and supplier verification help prevent unsuitable materials from entering production. Hygiene and storage procedures reduce the risk of contamination. Laboratory testing helps verify that finished products meet safety and composition standards.
A failure at any of these stages can create a regulatory problem, even when the underlying manufacturing processes and products are otherwise different.
FSSAI Also Issues Notices to Three Other Businesses
Alongside the prosecution proceedings against the three companies, FSSAI reportedly issued notices to Narpadham Foods, Sun Ridges Health Carers and Sha Kantilal Jayantilal over separate hygiene, licensing or compliance concerns.
The notices indicate additional regulatory scrutiny, but they should not be treated as equivalent to the prosecution cases or as proof that the businesses committed the same violations. The available reports do not provide enough detail to attribute identical findings to all three.
Food regulators use different enforcement measures depending on the circumstances, including inspections, notices, licence-related action, product sampling and prosecution. The specific measure taken can depend on the nature and seriousness of the reported non-compliance and the applicable legal provisions.
The broader set of actions signals that enforcement can cover multiple parts of the food supply chain, from manufacturing facilities and ingredient handling to products sold to consumers.
What the Action Means for Food Manufacturers
The cases underscore the need for strong internal controls throughout food production. Manufacturers must verify that raw materials meet food-grade specifications, maintain supplier records, prevent cross-contamination and ensure that staff follow appropriate hygiene practices.
Storage and segregation are especially important when a facility handles different types of material. Clear labelling, controlled access, documented receiving procedures and traceability systems can help prevent unsuitable ingredients from being used in food products.
Companies also need effective quality assurance programmes. Regular sampling and laboratory testing can help detect problems before products reach consumers, while corrective-action systems can help identify the underlying cause and prevent repeat failures.
For businesses operating at scale, a food-safety incident can have consequences beyond the immediate regulatory action. It can affect consumer confidence, retail relationships, production planning and brand reputation. Restoring confidence may require documented corrective steps and evidence of sustained compliance, not simply a public statement.
What Consumers Should Know
The announcements may raise concerns among consumers who buy biscuits, milk or dried fruit. The most useful response is to distinguish the specific findings reported by the regulator from broader assumptions about every product in a company’s range.
Consumers can monitor official FSSAI updates for any recall, product-specific advisory or further direction. If an authority identifies a particular batch or product for action, consumers should follow that notice rather than assume that all products in the category are affected.
It is also sensible to retain packaging and purchase details when reporting a food-safety concern. Product names, batch numbers, manufacturing dates and purchase information can help regulators trace a complaint to a specific product or supply chain.
Consumers who suspect a food product is unsafe can report the concern through the relevant official food-safety complaint channels. They should avoid making unverified claims about products or manufacturers based solely on social media posts.
The Bigger Picture
The FSSAI cases involving Priyagold biscuits, Dodla Dairy milk and UEIR Organic Foods raisins show how different failures can trigger food-safety enforcement. The reported findings range from the use of material intended for animal feed to unsafe milk and pesticide residues above permitted limits. Each case highlights the need for traceable ingredients, suitable manufacturing controls and reliable testing.
The proceedings also underline the importance of precise reporting. A regulator’s findings and a decision to initiate prosecution are serious developments, but they are not the same as a final judicial determination. Consumers and manufacturers will be watching for further regulatory updates, corrective measures and the outcomes of the legal process.
Looking Ahead
The next stage will involve the relevant legal proceedings and any further regulatory directions. For Surya Food & Agro, the status of its suspended licence and any corrective measures will be important. For Dodla Dairy and UEIR Organic Foods, the regulatory cases will depend on the findings, evidence and proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The available reporting does not establish final court outcomes.
For the wider food industry, the cases reinforce the importance of supplier verification, ingredient segregation, hygiene, residue monitoring and product testing. Manufacturers that can demonstrate effective controls and traceability are better positioned to identify problems early and respond to regulators. For consumers, official notices and verified product-specific information remain more reliable than generalised claims circulating online.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why has FSSAI taken action against Priyagold biscuits?
FSSAI said Surya Food & Agro, the manufacturer of Priyagold biscuits, was using bran intended for cattle feed as a fibre source in biscuit manufacturing. Inspectors also reported hygiene, pest-control, storage and handling deficiencies.
2. Has Priyagold’s manufacturer lost its licence?
FSSAI said Surya Food & Agro’s licence had been suspended following serious non-compliance identified during an inspection. The regulator subsequently initiated prosecution proceedings. Any later change in licence status should be confirmed through an official update.
3. What did the laboratory find in Dodla Dairy milk?
FSSAI said a referral laboratory found detergent or caustic soda in the tested full-cream milk sample and found the milk-fat content below the prescribed minimum.
4. What was the issue with UEIR Organic Foods’ yellow raisins?
Pesticide residues were detected in a sample of yellow raisins sold by UEIR Organic Foods. Reporting on the case said residues exceeded permitted limits, prompting prosecution proceedings.
5. Have the three companies been convicted?
The reporting establishes that FSSAI initiated prosecution proceedings. It does not establish that a court has already convicted the companies. The legal process and any final findings remain separate from the regulator’s announcement.
6. Should consumers stop buying every product from these companies?
The reported findings concern specific products or samples, and consumers should not automatically assume that every product or batch is affected. They should follow official FSSAI advisories, including any product-specific recall or safety directions, and seek verified information before making broader conclusions.
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