Navi Mumbai Racket Sells Expired Food As Fresh, ₹75.5 Lakh Stock Seized

A racket involving the sale of expired food products as fresh has been busted in Navi Mumbai. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch jointly carried out the operation between August 24 and 29.

The FDA suspended the license of Sadhana Enterprises, located in Turbhe's TTC Industrial Area, after finding that the company was tampering with expiry dates on food packaging. The seized products included popular brands such as Maggi, Lay's, and Kurkure, with a total value of ₹75.5 lakh.

During inspections, it was found that manufacturing and expiry dates printed on food product packaging were being replaced with stickers. Original labels of ingredients and nutritional information were also replaced with new stickers, and the entire stock was repackaged. This enabled the sale of products beyond their expiry dates or shelf life.

The department seized 8,442 cartons linked to 10 exporter companies, with a total value of ₹75,21,269. Unlabeled stock and expired food products worth around ₹30,600 were also seized. Samples were collected from Unique Fragrances and Pristine Worldwide, as they allegedly did not have the necessary FSSAI licence and purchase bills.

A First Information Report was registered at Turbhe police station under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The probe is currently underway.

The FDA's action is a significant step towards ensuring food safety in the city. The sale of expired food products can have serious health implications for consumers, and it is essential that such rackets are busted to prevent harm to the public.

The incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of food products in the city. Consumers should be aware of the expiry dates and packaging of food products they purchase, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The Maharashtra FDA has been actively working to ensure food safety in the state, and this operation is a part of its efforts to crack down on illegal activities in the food industry.

In recent years, there have been several instances of expired food products being sold as fresh in the city. The FDA's action in this case is a welcome step towards addressing this issue and ensuring that consumers have access to safe and healthy food products.

The seized products will be destroyed, and the companies involved will face legal action. The FDA will continue to monitor the food industry to prevent such incidents in the future.

The incident serves as a reminder to consumers to be vigilant when purchasing food products and to check the expiry dates and packaging carefully. It also highlights the importance of regulatory bodies like the FDA in ensuring food safety and preventing illegal activities in the food industry.

In conclusion, the busting of the expired food racket in Navi Mumbai is a significant step towards ensuring food safety in the city. The FDA's action is a welcome step towards addressing the issue of expired food products being sold as fresh, and it highlights the need for stricter regulations and monitoring of food products in the city.