Jaipur: 1.5 Lakh kg Expired Amul Products Destroyed After Major Raid

The Food Safety Department in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has uncovered a major food fraud involving the tampering of expiry dates on branded products. 5 lakh kg of expired food items under the Amul brand. According to officials from the Food Safety Commissionerate, the action followed a raid on a warehouse in the Kho Nagorian area, where expired goods were being prepared for resale with forged dates.

Complaint Received via 181 Helpline and Subsequent Raid

According to Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, the department received a specific tip-off through the 181 state helpline. A citizen reported that M/s Athlete Distributor in the Kho Nagorian area was preparing to sell expired Amul brand food items, while acting on this information, a team led by the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Jaipur II was dispatched to the location for an immediate inspection. The raid is part of an ongoing state-wide campaign to ensure the availability of pure and safe food products to the public.

Illegal Date Tampering Methods and Material Seizure

During the inspection, the team discovered a massive quantity of food cartons in a large warehouse. These included non-dairy products such as noodles, ketchup, mayonnaise, and energy drinks manufactured by M/s Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producer Union, Gujarat, and supplied by M/s Advansis India Private Limited. Approximately 12,000 cartons were found to be past their expiry dates. Officials noted that the expiry dates had already been erased from packets in 3,000 of these cartons. Chemicals such as thinner and acetone, used for erasing the original print, were seized from the site.

Fraudulent Tactics Learned Through Online Platforms

Additional Commissioner Bhagwat Singh stated that during interrogation, the operator of the firm, Gagan Ahuja, confessed to learning the method of erasing and re-printing expiry dates through YouTube. He was allegedly preparing to pack the tampered products into 4,500 new Amul-branded cartons to sell them at a significant profit. Neighbors informed officials that the warehouse remained locked from the outside during the day while 10-12 employees worked inside. It was also revealed that the food license for M/s Athlete Store had already expired.

Disposal of Contaminated Goods Using 27 Trucks

Food Safety Commissioner Dr, while t. Shubhamangala stated that due to the potential health risks, the entire stock of expired material was ordered to be destroyed. The disposal process lasted four days, requiring 27 trucks to transport the waste to a designated landfill. The destruction was carried out at the firm's own expense. Following the collection of samples for laboratory testing, the department seized the machinery and other equipment found at the site and sealed the premises. A ban has been placed on the firm's food business operations pending further investigation.

Notices Issued to Involved Firms and Legal Proceedings

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, the department has issued notices to representatives of the involved companies, including M/s Kaira and M/s Advansis India Private Limited, while representatives who arrived at the scene confirmed that Gagan Ahuja used to purchase near-expiry products from them at discounted rates. Officials confirmed that the verification of the tampered dates was conducted in the presence of these representatives. Legal action is being processed against the perpetrators to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.