Anantnag, May 06: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district banned the sale of a specific batch of Tops brand Soya Sauce after laboratory tests found it unsafe for consumption, officials said Wednesday.
The order, issued by the Office of the Assistant Commissioner and Designated Officer for Food Safety in Anantnag, applies to “SOYA SAUCE” under the Tops brand, bearing Lot No. 6A1617AK.
According to the official order, a sample of the product was collected by a Food Safety Officer in Qazigund and sent for testing to the National Food Laboratory in Ghaziabad.
“Food Analyst, National Food Laboratory Ghaziabad vide report No. JK-146/APR/26/154, dated 20-04-2026 confirmed the sample of SOYA SAUCE as unsafe quality due to sorbic acid content exceeding the maximum prescribed limit,” the order read.
Sorbic acid is commonly used as a preservative, but officials warned that levels exceeding prescribed limits could pose health risks.
“Consumption of SOYA SAUCE containing sorbic acid content above the maximum prescribed limit may pose a threat to consumers’ health,” the order said.
The product is manufactured and marketed by G.D. Foods Manufacturing (India) Pvt. Ltd., with facilities listed in Punjab and New Delhi.
Citing provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, the authority stated that manufacturing and selling unsafe food is prohibited by law.
“Manufacturing/sale of unsafe foods defined under Section 3 (1) (zz)(xi) is prohibited under FSSA, 2006,” the order read.
Invoking powers under Section 36(3)(b) of the Act, Designated Officer Sheikh Zameer Ahmad announced an immediate ban on the product’s sale within the district.
“Now in exercise of powers conferred under Section 36(3)(b) and in the interest of general public health, I hereby prohibit the sale of the food product under reference in the district of Anantnag until further orders,” the order added.
Officials did not immediately say whether a wider recall would be initiated beyond the district.
The order was issued under reference number DO/ANG/2026/1651-54 and dated May 6, 2026.
