Key Update

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with the Central Crime Branch, Navi Mumbai, has busted an alleged racket that altered manufacturing and expiry dates on packaged food products from several well-known brands, including Maggi, Lay’s and Kurkure. During the operation, officials seized around 4,942 cartons of food products worth ₹75.21 lakh from a warehouse in Turbhe.

The FDA conducted the six-day operation between August 24 and 29 at Sadhna Enterprises in the TTC Industrial Area, Turbhe. Officials identified Jayprakash Sanchetiram Singh and Jaya Navrang Bahadur Singh as the partners allegedly operating the unit.

FDA Detects Alleged Date Tampering

According to the FDA, Sadhna Enterprises stored food products belonging to several exporter companies. Officials alleged that the operators used thinner to erase the original manufacturing and expiry/use-by dates and then used an inkjet printer to replace them with new, extended dates.

The inspection also revealed alleged changes to product labels. According to the FDA, the operators pasted new stickers carrying altered ingredient and nutritional information over the original labels on products such as Wagh Bakri Tea and MDH Kitchen King, Kasuri Methi and Deggi Mirch.

Popular Food and Beverage Brands Found

The warehouse contained several variants of Lay’s, Kurkure, Bingo and Fun Flips, along with Maggi masala and atta noodles. Officials also found ready-to-make products from Rasoi and Knorr, as well as Thums Up and Limca tins and Hellmann’s Mayonnaise. With products from multiple exporters stored at the facility, the FDA examined the documentation linked to the stock.

FDA Examines 13 Exporter Entities

The FDA took action against 13 exporter entities whose products were stored at the facility. According to the FIR, officials cleared the stock of exporters that produced valid FSSAI licences, purchase bills and export-related documents confirming that the products were intended for export.

However, three parties — Unique Fragrances, Pristine Worldwide and Vipul Doshi — allegedly failed to produce valid documents. Officials collected samples from their stock for further verification. The authorities placed the seized stock in the custody of the accused and ordered them not to move it.

Authorities Register FIR

Following the inspection, Food Safety Officer Prashant Shivram Pawar filed a complaint that led to the registration of an FIR against the two partners of Sadhna Enterprises and 10 exporter firms, including Span Impex and Novas Export. The FIR invokes several provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including Sections 3, 23, 24, 26, 50, 52, 53, 58, 59 and 66. It also invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including sections relating to cheating and forgery.

Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said Maharashtra would continue to enforce food safety laws strictly and would not compromise consumer health. He added that authorities would take legal action against anyone found tampering with food products or selling expired food.

Source: Moneycontrol