Starbucks India suspends use of ingredients rejected by FSSAI

The Indian unit of US-based coffee chain Starbucks has suspended the use of several ingredients after it was revealed that the products had not been approved by food safety inspectors.

The move comes in the midst of a food scandal in the country that has led to the ban of Nestle’s popular noodles Maggi over the presence of excess lead.

Following the Maggi scandal, many other brands, including Starbucks had come under scrutinyfrom the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), who tightened its inspection of the food available in the market.

The authority had recently revealed that it had rejected 32 Starbucks products, including coffee frappucino, vanilla syrup and hazelnut flavoured syrups, along with lesser-known ingredients like cheese-flavoured syrup and Panna Cotta Pudding in April.

The Wall Street Journal quoted Starbucks spokesperson Rosanne Rodricks as saying that 12 out of the 32 rejected ingredients were being used by the coffee chain, while the remaining were going to be introduced or used as part of the coffee giant’s seasonal drinks lists.

Addressing growing concerns about the quality of food being sold, Tata Starbucks CEO Avani Davda said in a statement that the company is working closely with FSSAI to provide them with the technical information related to their pending ingredient applications.

Davda said: "In line with the FSSAI guidelines, while we finalise the documentation necessary to complete these applications, we have initiated the suspension of applicable ingredients from certain products served in our stores.

"At the same time, we have initiated our plans for using other FSSAI-approved ingredients that meet Starbucks global standards and enable us to continue offering our range of beverages. These actions ensure that you can continue enjoying the unique Starbucks Experience without disruption."

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Image: The approval of a total of 32 of Starbucks’ ingredients had been rejected by FSSAI. Photo: courtesy of Ekabhishek.