Shillong, Aug 14: The Meghalaya Government has ordered an immediate statewide freeze on the sale, stocking and distribution of STING Energy Drink, pending laboratory analysis over concerns related to public health, product safety and labelling compliance.
The statutory order was issued on August 14 by Dr Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety, Meghalaya, under the Health & Family Welfare Department.
According to the order, the Food Safety authorities had received public health concerns and formal representations regarding the safety, potential health hazards and alleged labelling non-compliance of the caffeinated beverage marketed under the brand name STING in different districts of Meghalaya.
Initial enforcement reports, the order stated, indicated widespread availability and consumption of the product among vulnerable groups, including schoolchildren and adolescents, without adequate regulatory verification of its caffeine levels, ingredients and mandatory statutory warnings.
As a precautionary measure, the Commissioner of Food Safety ordered that the movement and commercial availability of the product be halted across Meghalaya until a complete laboratory analysis is carried out.
Under the order, all Food Business Operators, including C&F agents, manufacturers, stockists, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, vendors and online delivery platforms operating in Meghalaya have been prohibited from selling, offering for sale, displaying, stocking, marketing or distributing STING Energy Drink of any form or batch with immediate effect.
Businesses currently holding stocks of the product have been directed to isolate the inventory and maintain the complete status quo. Any movement, transfer or secret disposal of the frozen stock without permission from the Food Safety Administration could invite penal proceedings under Sections 55 and 57 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The order has been issued under Section 30 read with Section 38(1)(c) and applicable enforcement provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The statewide freeze and prohibition will remain in force across all districts of Meghalaya until further orders, following evaluation of official laboratory analysis reports.
The order came into force immediately from the date and time of its issuance.
