Food safety administration flags substandard food products

Food Safety Administration, Dimapur Zone (Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon and Peren) has issued a public notice identifying several food products as substandard following routine surveillance and laboratory testing conducted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
In a press release, designated officer, Pelerieno Kehie, stated that under the Act, a food item is classified as “substandard” when it fails to meet prescribed quality standards, but not so as to render the article of food unsafe.
The administration urged consumers to distinguish between substandard (low-quality) and unsafe (harmful or toxic) food.
While substandard items may not cause immediate illness, designated officer said they still violate regulatory norms and undermine consumer trust.
According to the notice, four products failed to meet mandatory quality benchmarks:
1) Mast Health Multi-source Edible Oil (370g), batch BMMS-69; manufactured November 9, 2025; expiry July 8, 2026
2) Top Paneer Sterilised by JK Dairy (450g), batch 300PA25; manufactured October 27, 2025; expiry July 26, 2026
3) William’s Vinegar (350 ml), batch 105; packaged November 2025; best before 24 months
4) Shreeji Refined Soyabean Oil (375g), batch OPG30; manufactured September 30, 2025; expiry June 29, 2026
The Food Safety Administration informed that legal proceedings have been initiated against the sellers involved.
Under the Act, any person found manufacturing, storing, selling or importing substandard food is liable for a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh.
It further noted that “unsafe” food—posing a direct risk to public health—attracts much stricter penalties, including heavy fines and imprisonment.
Consumers have been advised to check their pantries for the listed batch numbers. Retailers have been directed to immediately remove the specified lots from their shelves.
For further information or to report concerns, consumers may contact the Food Safety Helpline at 03862-366349 during office hours or reach the chief medical officer’s office (food safety section).