Kathmandu/New Delhi, Oct 2026 : Nepal has banned the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits following an emergency virtual meeting of its food safety authorities, days after India’s food regulator suspended the manufacturer’s licence and initiated legal proceedings over alleged food safety violations.
Nepal’s Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) issued a notice on Monday classifying Priyagold biscuits as “sub-standard” and directing traders and consumers to stop their import and sale.
The decision followed a notice issued by India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which suspended the licence of Surya Food & Agro Ltd., the company manufacturing biscuits under the Priyagold brand.
According to the Nepalese department’s notice, the restrictions were decided during an emergency online meeting convened at the initiative of its Director-General, Sanjeev Kumar Karna. The department said the move was intended to safeguard public health and protect consumer welfare.
Authorities have urged all concerned agencies, traders and consumers to refrain from importing the products and immediately halt their sale and distribution. Authorised importers and food businesses have also been instructed to recall Priyagold biscuits already available in the market.
The action in Nepal follows serious findings reported by Indian food safety authorities during an inspection of Surya Food & Agro’s manufacturing operations.
Why India suspended the licence
The FSSAI reportedly found that cattle-feed bran had been used in the manufacture of Priyagold biscuits. The material was allegedly not approved for human consumption, raising concerns about the safety and suitability of the ingredients used in production.
Inspectors also identified other serious deficiencies relating to food safety and hygiene at the manufacturing facility.
Announcing legal proceedings against the company, the FSSAI reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict food safety standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The regulator stated that it maintained “zero tolerance for food safety violations and compromises on public health”.
The products associated with the proceedings include Cheese Cracker, Butter Bite and Marie Lite biscuits, which are marketed under the Priyagold brand.
About Priyagold
Priyagold is a biscuit brand operated by Surya Food & Agro Ltd., established in 1994 by Navin Kumar Agarwal and Shekhar Agarwal. Over the years, the brand has developed a presence in the packaged biscuit market.
The developments in India and Nepal have placed the company under regulatory scrutiny, with authorities in both countries taking action over concerns about food quality and consumer safety.
The Nepalese ban directs importers and retailers to withdraw the affected products from circulation while the Indian regulatory action proceeds.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
