Anantnag, Dec 12:In yet another alarming development on the food safety front, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have cracked down on a widely consumed biscuit brand after laboratory tests confirmed that it contains harmful levels of sulphites. Days after the controversy over adulterated eggs, the Food Safety Department in Anantnag has now prohibited the sale of PRIYAGOLD Butter Delite biscuits in the district, citing serious health concerns.
The action follows a detailed investigation by the Food Safety Officer of Anantnag, who procured a sample of the biscuit being sold locally under the brand name PRIYAGOLD Butter Delite (Batch No. E25KP02FB). The product, manufactured by M/s Surya Food & Agro Ltd., Noida, and marketed by the same company, was sent for testing to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad.
According to the lab’s report (No. JK-665/DEC/25/786), dated December 5, 2025, the biscuit was found to contain sulphite content beyond the maximum permitted limit under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) 2006. The presence of sulphites in excess quantities categorizes the product as unsafe for human consumption. Sulphites, commonly used as preservatives in processed foods, can trigger severe allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other health complications, especially in sensitive individuals.
The findings prompted immediate regulatory action. Invoking the powers under Section 36(3)(b) of the FSSA, Designated Officer (Food Safety) Anantnag Sheikh Zameer Ahmad issued an order banning the sale, distribution, and storage of the said biscuit across the district until further notice. The official order clearly states that consumption of food containing sulphites above the permissible limit “may pose a threat to the health of consumers,” and therefore its sale stands strictly prohibited.
This development comes at a time when public confidence in food safety standards is already shaken due to recent reports about adulterated eggs circulating in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The consecutive actions involving eggs and now biscuits have raised serious concerns about the quality of packaged and processed foods available in local markets.
The Food Safety Department has urged traders, wholesalers, and retailers to comply with the order and immediately withdraw the product from their shelves to avoid penal action. Consumers have also been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious food items to the authorities.
Officials say intensified market inspections will continue in the coming days as part of a broader crackdown on unsafe food products in the region.
