2 days ago
Navi Mumbai FDA Seizes Food Stock Over Date Tampering
Officials in Navi Mumbai say a company may have changed the dates printed on packaged food.
The changes could make old food look safe to sell after its shelf life.
The FDA also said stickers covering ingredient and nutrition information were replaced.
The products were allegedly repacked and prepared for resale or export.
Items included chips, snacks, noodles, soup, mayonnaise and soft drinks from well-known brands.
Authorities also found some unlabeled and expired products.
The company’s food licence was suspended and police registered a case.
The reports give different figures for the number of cartons seized, so the investigation is still important.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch raided Sadhana Enterprises in Turbhe from August 24 to 29.
Officials alleged that original manufacturing and expiry dates, ingredient labels and nutritional information were removed or replaced before repackaging.
Seized products included Lay’s, Kurkure, Fun Flips, Maggi, Knorr, Rasoi, Hellmann’s, Thums Up and Limca items.
The FDA reported seizing either 4,942 or 8,442 cartons linked to 10 exporter companies, with the primary stock valued at Rs 75,21,269.
Sadhana Enterprises’ licence was suspended, an FIR was registered, and the investigation remained underway.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch acted against Sadhana Enterprises and associated exporters; samples were also collected from other establishments.
- What
- Authorities alleged that food-package dates and ingredient and nutritional labels were altered before products were repackaged.
- Where
- The main inspection took place at Sadhana Enterprises in the TTC Industrial Area of Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, and the FIR was registered at Turbhe police station.
- When
- The joint operation took place from August 24 to 29; reports were issued on Monday and September 1, 2026.
- Why
- The alleged relabelling could enable expired or old products to be resold or prepared for export.
FDA Allegations
Investigation and Procedural Caution
Date and label changes
FDA Allegations
The FDA said manufacturing and expiry or use-by dates were removed or replaced, and ingredient and nutritional-information labels were covered with new stickers before repackaging.
Investigation and Procedural Caution
The reports present these findings as allegations; the police investigation was still underway and no response from Sadhana Enterprises or the exporters was reported.
Additional establishments
FDA Allegations
The FDA collected samples from Unique Fragrances, Pristine Worldwide and, in one report, Vipul Doshi, citing alleged absence of required FSSAI licences or purchase bills.
Investigation and Procedural Caution
The articles do not report that these allegations were proven or specify final action against the additional establishments.
Seizure figures
FDA Allegations
A subsequent FDA account cited 8,442 cartons linked to 10 exporter companies, while another account cited 4,942 cartons.
Investigation and Procedural Caution
Because the reports provide conflicting carton counts and valuations, the final quantity and value remain unclear from the available accounts.
Key facts
- Lead agencies
- The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch conducted the operation.
- Main premises
- Sadhana Enterprises in the TTC Industrial Area, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai.
- Alleged method
- Officials said original manufacturing and expiry or use-by dates were erased or replaced, while ingredient and nutritional labels were covered with fresh stickers.
- Brands reported
- Seized products included Lay’s, Kurkure, Fun Flips, Maggi, Knorr, Rasoi, Hellmann’s, Thums Up and Limca items.
- Exporter links
- The stock was linked to 10 exporter companies based in Mumbai, New Delhi and Noida, according to the reports.
- Reported value
- The primary stock was valued at Rs 75,21,269; additional unlabeled and expired goods were reported at approximately Rs 30,600 or Rs 1,30,600 in different accounts.
- Reported quantity discrepancy
- Reports cited 4,942 cartons in one FDA account and 8,442 cartons in another; one separate report claimed a value of Rs 17.52 crore, conflicting with the other reported valuation of about Rs 75 lakh.
- Legal action
- Sadhana Enterprises’ food licence was suspended and an FIR was filed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Quotes
Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)
Maharashtra’s food-safety regulatory authority that announced the crackdown and enforcement action
“The government is extremely strict regarding food quality and law enforcement in Maharashtra. Playing with the health of consumers and the general public will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Strict legal action will continue against those who store or sell expired or tampered food items.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Bombay High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad
The Bombay High Court judges hearing the enforcement case involving the Mumbai Cricket Association restaurants.
“However, despite clearly saying this, the FDA has disobeyed our order and taken a pedantic view instead of a pragmatic view. We are tired of scolding the department and officers all the time. It is now time to pass stinging orders. We will issue contempt action against the concerned officers. Let them convince us or go to jail.”
livemint.com
Sources
FDA busts Navi Mumbai expiry-date tampering racket; Maggi, Lay’s products among stock seized
Lay's, Kurkure, Maggi Expiry Dates Altered In Multi-Crore Racket In Mumbai
FDA busts food expiry date tampering racket in Navi Mumbai; ₹76 lakh goods seized
FDA Seizes ₹17.52-Crore Food Stock In Navi Mumbai Over Alleged Date Tampering And Relabelling
FDA busts expiry date racket, seizes Maggi, Lay’s, Kurkure in Navi Mumbai
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