Key Update

In another major food adulteration case, officials from the Gujarat Food Safety Department seized more than 3,500 kilograms of contaminated fennel seeds (saunf), during a raid in Unjha, Gujarat. Officials carried out the operation at Ganapati Cleaning Factory after receiving information about alleged adulteration activities at the unit. During the raid, authorities reportedly found workers mixing a non-edible green chemical dye with fennel seeds to make the product appear fresher and more visually appealing before selling it in the market. Food safety officials also recovered nearly 140 kilograms of the suspected colouring agent from the premises.

Factory Allegedly Operated Without FSSAI Licence

According to officials, the factory was operating without a valid licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which is mandatory for all food businesses in the country. In a statement, FSSAI said the Gujarat Food Safety Department uncovered serious violations of food safety norms during the targeted enforcement drive. The regulator stated that the Food Business Operator allegedly blended non-edible green chemical colour into food products while operating entirely without regulatory approval. Officials collected samples of the seized saunf and the colouring substance and sent them for laboratory analysis to determine the nature and safety of the chemical used.

Video Shows Green Colour Rubbing Off the Fennel seeds 

A video shared by FSSAI from the raid has attracted significant attention online. The footage reportedly shows an official rubbing fennel seeds in his palm, leaving visible green stains on his hand, indicating possible artificial colouring. The video also allegedly captured workers mixing the green dye into large quantities of saunf inside the factory premises.

FSSAI said authorities would continue taking stringent legal action against businesses violating food safety standards and compromising public health. The regulator reiterated that enforcement drives against adulteration and unsafe food practices would continue across the country under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Source: MSN