Kathmandu, Oct 19 (PTI): Nepalese authorities have banned the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits manufactured by Surya Food and Agro Ltd in India. Issuing a notice on Monday, Nepal's Department of Food Technology and Quality Control suspended import approvals and entry permits for the products until further notice and described the biscuits as sub-standard.

The department directed authorised importers and food businesses to stop selling the biscuits and to withdraw products already in the market. Products that must be destroyed are to be disposed of under the supervision of local authorities or food inspectors, with the department informed of the action taken, and businesses that defy the order face legal action under Nepal's Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2024.

The Nepal ban follows action in India by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). According to the findings cited by Nepal's regulator, an FSSAI inspection found that bran meant for cattle feed — in sacks labelled as cattle feed and explicitly not intended for human consumption — had been used as a source of fibre in Priyagold biscuits.

The Indian regulator also reported deficiencies at the manufacturing facility in sanitation, pest control, raw-material storage, employee hygiene and building maintenance. FSSAI has suspended the company's licence and initiated prosecution proceedings over the violations.

Priyagold is a widely sold biscuit brand across South Asia, and the recall covers the manufacturer's biscuit products in Nepal regardless of batch. Traders have been told to document the recall and disposal.

Sources: PTI (via News18, Siasat and The Tribune); FSSAI via Inshorts; Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Nepal, as reported Oct 19.