FDA seizes adulterated spices and namkeen worth Rs 6.6 lakh in three raids in Jalna

Ahead of Diwali, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its special 'Safe Food Safe Maharashtra' campaign across the state. Under the campaign, action was taken against spice and namkeen (farsan) manufacturers in Jalna, and substandard and adulterated stock worth Rs 6,60,600 was seized.

The administration acted on suspicion that the products were being made in unhygienic conditions and were of poor quality. Its team raided three main production units in Jalna without notice and seized stock at all three.

The first raid was on M/s Adhiraj Spices Foods, a spice manufacturing unit at Savargaon Hadap in Jalna taluka. Some 360 kg of chilli powder, worth Rs 2,23,200, and 100 kg of coriander powder, worth Rs 39,000, were seized. Goods worth Rs 2,62,200 in all were seized from the unit.

The second action was at M/s K.M.K. Masale in the Jalna industrial estate (MIDC). Substandard stock was found during inspection, including 298 kg of turmeric powder and 58 kg of coriander powder. Goods worth Rs 1,33,700 in all were seized.

The third action was against M/s Sahyadri Foods, a namkeen and farsan manufacturer at Ambad. A large stock was seized there, including 328 kg of sev, 278 kg of garlic chivda, 463 kg of mixed farsan and 206 packets (103 kg) of namkeen. Goods worth Rs 2,64,700 in all were seized at this unit.

The raids were carried out by a team of food safety officers A. E. Tambe, Anuja Nagrare and Vinod Osawar. The whole campaign was conducted under the guidance of FDA Joint Commissioner S. R. Karkale and Assistant Commissioner Nikhil Kulkarni.

The administration has issued a clear warning that strict action will be taken against those who play with people's health during the festive season. It has also appealed to all food businesses to follow the food safety law strictly, in the interest of public health and consumers.

The administration has further warned that traders who break the rules will have their licences cancelled and face legal cases.