Top samosa maker’s federal license restored

An Edmonton processor of Indian-style appetizers and entrees that bills itself as the country’s largest maker of ready-to-eat samosas has regained its federal operating license.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday it has reinstated the license for Aliya’s Foods, maker of the Chef Bombay line of packaged foods, effective June 28.

The plant is now allowed to resume operating under “ongoing inspection” by CFIA, the agency said.

The Edmonton plant’s license was pulled June 18, as CFIA said the company had “failed to document and address product cooling issues during pre-shipment review, and failed to address allergen control issues.”

Privately-held Aliya’s, founded in 2000, is federally licensed as a further-processor of poultry and red meats, and as an exporter to the United States.

The company’s Chef Bombay products include deep-fried chicken, beef and vegetable samosas and vegetable pakoras, as well as entrees including beef vindaloo, chicken biryani, butter chicken, chicken tandoori and channa masala, a vegetable dish made with chickpeas.

The company also makes private-label products for the food service sector and companies such as Safeway, Trader Joe’s and McCain Foods.