FDA issued a warning letter to STC India Pvt.Ltd.

STC India Pvt. Ltd. exports mouth fresheners to the USA.

Regarding Hygiene in Storage and Production STC India Pvt. Warning to

Recently, the US Food and Drug Safety Agency (FDA) has issued an order to the Indian exporter and manufacturer STC India Pvt. The company has been issued a warning letter regarding cleanliness and food contamination. This company STC India Pvt. Exports mouth fresheners from India to America and other countries in the name of
It is not even that this warning letter has been made suffering only from some guesses and prejudices. Prior to this, the US Food Safety Agency FDA from January 12 to January 17, 2023 STC India Pvt. A place in Attari (Mumbai) where “Mukhwas” Fresh Mint is produced. She goes and surveys. And in view of many negligence regarding cleanliness and hygiene in the survey, said in its report,

STC India Pvt.Ltd. In the factory survey, it was found that there was a huge lack of cleanliness near the production machines where raw materials like fennel, amla,( Gooseberry )coconut etc. had coarsening machines, marks of excreta of birds, rats and other animals were seen around those machines. Also, traces of excreta and urine of insects such as flies, mosquitoes etc. were clearly seen. Which promotes food contamination. Like Salmonella and E-coli etc. STC India Pvt.Ltd. Gross carelessness was also observed in the storage in the plant, where along with the excreta of kit moths and small animals, rotten street food items were also observed equally at both the storage and production sites.

Along with this, many defects have been found on the walls and floors of the storage and manufacturing rooms, contrary to the prescribed parameters of hygiene and cleanliness. Regarding which the FDA has issued a warning letter on August 8, 2023, along with implementing the parameters of food production, it has also issued guidelines for exports. At present, there is no news regarding this news in the Indian mainstream media.

The full warning letter can be viewed here.

STC India Pvt.Ltd. Not only exports but also sells its products locally in Indian markets especially in Maharashtra and surrounding areas in small pouches to boxed packing. And it has also been advertising it on local newspapers and news channels and entertainment channels.
If you are thinking that this test and warning letter by the US Food Agency in Indian jurisdiction is a point of questionable concern about the sovereignty of India, then nothing like that. Every country is very serious about the food and drug security of its citizens and its citizens. STC India Pvt.Ltd. Had it sold its products only in India, this warning letter would not have been issued at all. STC India Pvt.Ltd. This letter is given to be responsible for the issuance of FDA certificate for export of its product to the USA. Even before this, FDA has issued letters regarding hygiene and cleanliness in production in factories of India and multinational companies located in India.

According to the Indian law and constitution, this action should be taken by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the dedicated department for food safety. But such a survey done by the US Food Safety Agency in Indian jurisdiction is nothing less than a slap in the face for FSSAI.
This is not even the first time, every year dozens of such actions are taken against Indian exporters and manufacturers by food safety agencies of many countries. Which shows that food security in India is not in safe hands or with the department, it is Ram’s trust.
Food safety negligence about which FDA is concerned, the department of such negligence in India remains asleep. No significant change is seen even after complaints or major food accidents. And even if it happens, after a day or two the situation becomes normal as before.

Foodman have earlier also written to the public and FSSAI for their negligence and apathy in the context of several issues and food accidents.

It is not that this is the first incident regarding cleanliness related to the food industry. Whatever product you may have in a packet or on a plate, you will not be able to go to the places where it is prepared and cooked without covering your face. But everyone just wants to eat. In this country, food security and infrastructure are more important than religion, elections etc. But all the people are intoxicated by religion and party and elections. No one is aware of the expenses and deaths on medicines for the health and well-being of their near and dear ones. This is the reason why American food organizations have to take action against Indian companies despite Indian food security agencies.