FDA Busts Alleged Expiry Date Tampering Racket in Navi Mumbai : In a major food safety crackdown, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has busted an alleged racket involving the tampering of manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged food products in Navi Mumbai.
The joint operation, carried out with the Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch, led to the seizure of food stock and expired products worth more than ₹75.5 lakh. The action was taken at a facility in the Turbhe TTC Industrial Area, where officials allegedly found products being relabelled and repackaged for sale.
Expiry Dates Allegedly Altered
According to the FDA, the operation uncovered alleged tampering with important information printed on food packaging.
Officials reportedly found that original manufacturing and expiry or use-by dates were being removed or replaced. Labels containing ingredient details and nutritional information were also allegedly changed before the products were repackaged.
Such practices could potentially allow food products to be sold beyond their original shelf life, raising serious concerns about consumer safety.
Popular Food Brands Among Seized Products
The seized stock reportedly included products from several well-known brands and categories.
Items found during the operation included varieties of Maggi noodles, Lay’s chips, Kurkure, Fun Flips and other ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food products. Reports also mentioned products such as Knorr soup, Hellmann’s mayonnaise and packaged beverages among the stock examined by authorities.
The operation reportedly covered thousands of cartons connected to multiple exporter companies.
Joint Operation Conducted in Turbhe
The action was carried out jointly by the Maharashtra FDA and the Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch between August 24 and August 29.
Authorities reportedly seized thousands of cartons of food products, along with additional unlabelled and expired stock. The total value of the material seized was estimated at approximately ₹75.52 lakh.
FIR Registered, Food Licence Suspended
Following the inspection, an FIR was registered at Turbhe Police Station under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Reports also state that the food licence of Sadhana Enterprises, linked to the facility under investigation, was suspended with immediate effect. The investigation is now expected to examine the alleged supply chain and determine how long the suspected operation had been running.
Major Food Safety Concern for Consumers
The case has once again highlighted the importance of carefully checking packaging details before purchasing packaged food products.
Tampering with expiry dates or product information can prevent consumers from knowing the actual age and condition of a food item. With the investigation now underway, authorities are likely to examine whether the allegedly altered products had already entered the retail supply chain.
The Navi Mumbai crackdown marks another significant action by Maharashtra’s food safety authorities as they continue to target violations involving expired and improperly labelled food products.
