FDA Rejects Several Snack Products From India for Contaminants

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected a number of snack imports made by Indian company Haldiram Snacks for concerns over high levels of pesticides, mold and bacteria.  The move comes as global food corporation Nestlé has been subjected to a nationwide ban in India of its Maggi noodles that have allegedly tested for high levels of lead.  FDA first found pesticides in Haldiram’s products in September 2014 and has since refused imports of the company’s products 86 times. Among the products rejected have been Haldiram brand cookies, biscuits and wafers.  A Haldiram spokesperson recently told the Wall Street Journal that the company’s products were completely safe. He also noted that food safety standards are different between India and the U.S.  “A pesticide that is permitted in India may not be allowed there. And even if it is, they may not allow it in the same concentration as it is here,” he said.  During the first five months of this year, FDA reportedly has rejected more snack imports from India than from any other country. The main reasons given were high pesticide levels, mold and Salmonella bacteria.