Toxic alert: Priyagold Butter Delite batch banned in Anantnag

Anantnag, Dec 12:Authorities in Anantnag have banned the sale of a batch of Priyagold Butter Delite biscuits after a government laboratory confirmed sulphite levels beyond the permissible limit, officials said on Friday.

Designated Officer, Food Safety A nantnag, Sheikh Zameer Ahmad, said the order applies to Batch No. E25KPO2FB and will remain in force until further instructions.

“We issued the prohibition after the laboratory declared the sample unsafe due to excessive sulphite content,” Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.

Ahmad said the sample manufactured by Surya Food and Agro Ltd., Noida was lifted from the local market and forwarded to the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, for analysis.

“The sample was sent to NFL Ghaziabad, and their report clearly stated that the sulphite level was above the prescribed standard,” he said.

Officials said the laboratory report, numbered JK-665/DEC/25/786 and dated December 5, 2025, formed the basis of the action.

“We acted strictly on the findings of the national laboratory, as required under the Food Safety and Standards Act,” Ahmad said.

He warned that products with sulphite levels beyond permissible limits could pose health concerns.

“Any food item with excessive sulphite is not safe for consumption. That is why we have taken swift action,” he added.

Ahmad said the contaminated batch had been ordered off the shelves immediately.

“We have already directed all vendors to stop the sale of this batch and asked the company to recall the entire stock,” he said. “The samples were taken around three weeks ago.”

Officials said the move was part of ongoing surveillance to ensure unsafe products do not reach consumers.

“Our monitoring will continue, and further action will be taken as required,” Ahmad said.