6 Infamous Food Recall Incidents in India

In 2018, outrage sparked across the nation when Aashirvaad Atta was thought to have plastic in it. People could not believe that a basic ingredient of the food they ate every day was tainted, especially when produced by such a big company. Here’s the kicker though, the leftover stretchy substance was not plastic; it was gluten. Gluten is a mixture of proteins that gives your dough elasticity and strength. Gluten formation from combining water and flour is a crucial step when making good dough. While it can look and feel like plastic, it’s a natural and needed by-product of doughmaking.

While this incident was a hoax, there are plenty of other food recall incidents that are real. Food recall and contamination incidents are critical moments that not only impact consumer trust but also underscore the delicate balance between food safety, regulatory compliance, and industry accountability. In India, diverse culinary traditions intermingle with modern food production, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. From homegrown, local domestic brands to international giants, the Indian food market has witnessed several high-profile episodes of recalls and contaminations that have reshaped consumer perceptions and regulatory frameworks. This blog delves into such incidents, exploring the stories behind recalls, examining their implications, and shedding light on the measures taken to ensure food safety in a rapidly evolving packaged food industry.

Food recalls don’t just happen because a product does not taste or look good. There are a few reasons that a product could be recalled:

• Microbial Contamination: Presence of bacteria, viruses, or moulds that can cause illness, such as Salmonella or E. coli.
• Chemical Contamination: High levels of pesticides, heavy metals, or other toxic substances exceeding safety standards.
• Foreign Objects: Presence of physical objects like glass, metal, or plastic in the food product.
• Mislabeling or Allergens: Incorrect labelling of ingredients or failure to mention allergens, posing health risks to sensitive individuals.
• Undeclared Ingredients: Addition of unapproved or unauthorised substances, additives, or fillers.
• Quality Issues: Compromised quality due to spoilage, off-flavours, or textures, affecting consumer satisfaction and safety.
• Unsafe Processing: Issues during manufacturing, packaging, or storage leading to potential health hazards.
• Regulatory Non-Compliance: Failure to adhere to local or national food safety regulations and standards.
• Product Recalls from Other Countries: If a product is recalled in another country due to safety concerns, it might prompt recalls in India if the same product is imported or sold locally.

From Maggi’s infamous recall in 2015 to Pepsi and Coca-Cola’s PET bottle issues, here are some of the most famous food recall and contamination incidents in India:

Maggi Noodles (2015):

The Maggi food recall incident in India was a seismic event that shook consumer trust in one of the country’s most beloved instant noodles brands. The central food safety regulator, FSSAI, ordered the immediate withdrawal and recall of all nine approved variants of Maggi instant noodles from the market, labelling them as “unsafe and hazardous” for human consumption. This was due to the presence of MSG and lead in the instant noodles. In 2015, testing by Barabanki and Kolkata laboratories revealed monosodium glutamate (MSG) in Maggi samples, with Kolkata finding lead exceeding permissible levels at 17.2 ppm, compared to the allowed 2.5 ppm in instant noodles [1]. Nestlé India claimed no MSG addition but acknowledged the presence of glutamate in ingredients like hydrolyzed groundnut protein, onion powder, and wheat flour used in Maggi noodles sold in India. Nestle, the Swiss giant behind Maggi, faced severe repercussions as the product was found to violate labelling regulations on taste enhancer MSG. The high lead levels were attributed to contamination in the supply chain. Furthermore, the introduction of ‘Maggi Oats Masala Noodles’ without proper approval added to the controversy, prompting the recall order. The company was not only instructed to stop production and sales but was also served a showcase notice to explain why the product approval shouldn’t be withdrawn. The incident triggered a domino effect, leading to bans in several states and sparked widespread concern over food safety standards and regulatory compliance in the country.

Cadbury (Consumer Forum Case):

The Cadbury food recall contamination marked a significant setback for Mondelez India Food Private Limited, the parent company of Cadbury India, as it faced penalties from the consumer forum at Guntur. The forum ruled against the company for supplying bacteria-contaminated chocolates to a consumer, resulting in a fine exceeding Rs. 50,000. This incident not only highlighted lapses in quality control but also raised concerns about the safety standards of one of the most esteemed chocolate brands in India. Cadbury’s reputation took a hit, emphasising the critical importance of stringent quality checks and adherence to food safety protocols to maintain consumer trust in the highly competitive food industry landscape.

Starbucks:

The Starbucks food recall incident in 2015 emerged as a significant issue when the global coffee chain, operating in partnership with Tatas, faced blacklisting by the Central food safety regulator, FSSAI, following a risk assessment. FSSAI rejected applications for a total of 32 products submitted by Tata Starbucks in April, including popular items like coffee frappuccino and flavoured syrups [4]. These rejections followed the Maggi crisis and sources claim that the 32 products likely contained ingredients that have been found to have heavy metals, excessive caffeine, or iron fillings. Despite the ban, Starbucks continued its operations, claiming to be diligently working with FSSAI to provide the required technical information for pending applications. This regulatory action raised concerns about the cafe chain’s adherence to India’s food safety standards, especially since some of the rejected products were still available at their outlets. The incident underscored the importance of complying with FSSAI regulations and maintaining transparency in providing necessary information to ensure food safety and consumer trust.

Pepsi and Coca-Cola (Toxin Contamination):

In 2016, the Coca-Cola and Pepsi food recall incident stirred widespread concern after a government study revealed the presence of five different toxins in soft drinks produced by these multinational companies. The toxins, including heavy metals like antimony, lead, chromium, and cadmium, along with DEHP, leached into the beverages from the PET bottles they were stored in. The test, conducted by the Kolkata-based All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health for the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), highlighted that leaching increased notably with rising room temperatures. While the test results were submitted to the director general of health services and chairman of DTAB, official responses from the companies were varied. PepsiCo reiterated conformity with food safety regulations but didn’t receive the cited test reports, while Coca-Cola refused to comment. This incident raised significant concerns about product safety standards and the potential health risks associated with these popular soft drinks, prompting a closer examination of packaging and regulatory compliance within the beverage industry.

Dabur Honey (2010):

2010 was a hard year for the homegrown Dabur honey brand. The Dabur honey food contamination incident cast a shadow over several leading honey brands, including Dabur, Patanjali Ayurveda, Khadi Gramodyog, and Himalaya. An investigation by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed high levels of antibiotics in these commonly available honey brands. Dabur, among others, was found to contain three types of antibiotics, raising concerns about the purity and safety of their products. Almost all brands sold in the market were found to contain chloramphenicol, along with the broad-spectrum antibiotics ciprofloxacin and erythromycin [2]. The presence of antibiotics in honey, including banned substances like Chloramphenicol, sparked alarm, indicating potential health risks associated with consuming these brands. The study highlighted the widespread use of antibiotics in the beekeeping industry, often as disease control measures and growth promoters, resulting in their presence in the final honey product. Other brands such as Patanjali and Gold Honey were also reported to contain multiple antibiotics, contributing to the broader concern regarding the quality and safety standards within the honey industry [2].

Hindustan Unilever’s Knorr Soupy Noodles (2015): 

The Knorr soup food recall incident in India marked a significant move by Hindustan Unilever (HUL) to halt the production and sale of their Knorr Chinese instant noodles, prompting the company to issue directives to television channels and media outlets to cease advertisements of the brand. Introduced in February, the decision to withdraw the product came swiftly following the Maggi incident and the subsequent list of banned ingredients. When the FSSAI released a list of approved products from 7 companies, Knorr Chinese instant noodles did not make the cut [3]. HUL instructed media agencies and partners to stop airing the Knorr Chinese instant noodle commercial, signalling a complete blackout of advertising for the entire noodle category in India. The move raised questions about the specific reasons behind the withdrawal and sparked speculation about potential issues related to quality, safety, or regulatory compliance within the product, underscoring the intricacies and sensitivities surrounding food products in the Indian market.

Patanjali (2017): 

The 2017 incident involving Patanjali Ayurved’s medical products in Nepal highlighted concerns over substandard quality, prompting the country’s Department of Drug Administration to issue a recall notice for six of Patanjali’s products. These items, manufactured at Patanjali’s Divya Pharmacy in Uttarakhand, failed microbial tests conducted after inspections at various outlets. The department, functioning under the Ministry of Health, directed Patanjali’s local unit to initiate the recall process and keep authorities informed about the measures taken. The notice mandated stakeholders to immediately cease selling or prescribing these drugs, emphasising the importance of stringent quality control measures in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medical products.

Haldiram “Tasty Nuts” (2013):

In 2013, Haldiram Food International Private Ltd faced a significant setback when their export product, “Tasty Nuts,” was recalled due to the presence of aflatoxin levels surpassing the permitted limit outlined in the National Food Standard Code. Aflatoxins, known for their carcinogenic properties, pose a serious health risk if consumed above the regulated threshold. The recall process was initiated promptly, facilitated by cooperation with “Food Standards Australia New Zealand,” which disseminated recall notices featuring precautionary measures, batch numbers, and a clear return policy. This incident underscored the critical importance of adhering to food safety standards in both domestic and international markets and highlighted the potential hazards associated with contaminants in food products, necessitating robust recall mechanisms to safeguard consumer health.

Food recalls and contamination incidents in India serve as a reminder of the paramount importance of food safety. From microbial contaminations to chemical issues and mislabeling, these incidents highlight the diverse challenges faced by the food industry.

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References: 

1. Dey, S. (2015, May 16). “maggi” under Regulatory Scanner for lead, MSG beyond permissible limit: India news – times of India. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maggi-under-regulatory-scanner-for-lead-MSG-beyond-permissible-limit/articleshow/47304615.cms?from=mdr 
2. HT Correspondent. (2010, September 15). That’s not sweet: Study claims Honey Brands contaminated. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/that-s-not-sweet-study-claims-honey-brands-contaminated/story-8DiX844ZdL5DzbfUWsDsLN.html 
3. Press Trust of India. (2015, June 10). Amid controversy around Maggi, Knorr, other noodles also face food safety test. NDTV.com. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/hindustan-unilevers-knorr-chinese-noodles-not-in-fssai-approved-list-770324 
4. Patra, R. (2015, June 16). Following maggi crisis, Starbucks stops using ingredients blacklisted by FSSAI. exchange4media. https://www.exchange4media.com/marketing-news/following-maggi-crisisstarbucks-stops-using-ingredients-blacklisted-by-fssai-60414.html