Regulator Bars Food Operations of TCF Chocolates and Shivam Agro After Inspection Finds Contamination Risks
In a swift move on Thursday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) prohibited TCF Chocolates & Gifts Private Limited and Shivam Agro from conducting any food‑related business activities. The decision follows thorough inspections that uncovered extensive contamination hazards and repeated non‑compliance with food‑safety regulations.
The crackdown began after a consumer reported an issue with a product bought online. Investigation at TCF Chocolates revealed deplorable sanitation, including rodent excrement, cat waste, open drains, and heavy insect infestation. The plant was also storing expired food colourants and flavours alongside fresh raw materials. Cleaning chemicals were placed too close to food, increasing the likelihood of chemical contamination.
Staff were observed ignoring basic hygiene standards, and the company had previously earned a meagre 14 percent compliance rating because required documents were unavailable.
Similarly, Shivam Agro’s premises were riddled with flies, waste buildup, stagnant dirty water and spider webs. The inspection noted insufficient cleaning of floors, walls, machines and ceilings, coupled with clear evidence of rodent presence and an ineffective pest‑control system.
Food items were mixed with non‑food objects in hallways and temporary storage zones, violating statutory storage requirements. The facility also employed corroded and damaged iron and ferrous metal tanks for oil mixing without proof of food‑grade suitability. Moreover, Shivam Agro lacked a functional internal laboratory and could not present systematic testing logs for its finished products.
Labelling errors were also identified. TCF Chocolates failed to correctly list the names of its food items, while Shivam Agro provided inaccurate serving‑size and cholesterol information on a plant‑based oil product.
With public health at stake, FSSAI has enforced an immediate licence suspension and ordered a complete halt to all food processing at both companies. The authority reiterated that it will continue to pursue rigorous action against any entity that breaches India’s food‑safety standards.