FDA raids noodle factory in Nagpur's Wanjra Layout, seizes 15 tonnes of suspect noodles and flour

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided a noodle factory operating in the Wanjra Layout area of Nagpur without prior notice. The FDA has launched a crackdown on food businesses that play with public health, and the raid is part of it. A special FDA team seized more than 15 tonnes of suspect noodles and a stock of maida (refined flour) from the factory.

The total value of the seized goods is reported to be Rs 7,26,147. The team took into custody a total of 15,082 kg of suspect noodles and maida from the factory. The entire stock has been sealed, and samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing.

When the FDA team reached the factory, 'M/s Rupam Food' in Wanjra Layout, large-scale noodle manufacturing, processing and packaging work was under way. During the inspection, the team found several shortcomings in the quality of the product as well as in the packaging.

In particular, wrongly labelled 'Veg Hakka Noodles', a large quantity of loose noodles and maida of suspect quality were found in the factory. The inspection also revealed that food packaging lacked proper information and carried misleading labels.

The raid was carried out in a highly confidential manner on the special directions of the FDA Commissioner. Food Safety Officer Dr A. N. Khandare and the special team took the action under the guidance of Joint Commissioner (Food) Krishna Jaipurkar and Assistant Commissioner Ajay Sadar.

Further legal action will be taken against the factory once the laboratory report arrives. Meanwhile, it has also emerged that many such illegal production units are operating in the Wanjra area on the city's outskirts. The administration has intensified its inspection drive so that citizens get safe, quality food. All eyes are now on the laboratory report.