Nashik FDA raids seize adulterated food worth Rs 5.40 crore in 10 days
Ahead of the festive season, FDA teams raided 36 sites across Nashik division, seizing suspect butter, ghee, oil, sweets and other food items.
With the festive season approaching, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down on those adulterating food items in Nashik. A major special investigation drive is being carried out across Nashik division against those tampering with public health, to ensure the quality, purity and safety of food items sold during the festive season.
In just the last 10 days, department teams raided 36 locations across different districts of the division. These raids led to the seizure of suspect and adulterated goods worth a total of Rs 5,40,16,621. The seized items include large quantities of pasteurised butter, desi ghee, cream, edible oil, sweets, fruit pulp and other everyday food items.
The entire operation is being carried out under the direct supervision of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Munde and Assistant Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane. The administration has made clear that traders seeking to exploit the increased demand for sweets, dairy products, spices, dry fruits and edible oil during the festive season will not be spared.
Early on the morning of September 11, two passenger buses were stopped and checked at the crowded Dwarka Chowk in Nashik city, leading to the seizure of 2,155 kg of suspect barfi. Suspect samples of vegetable oil, refined soybean oil, jaggery and ghee were also seized and stocks sealed at supermarkets in the Sunday, Karanja, Panchavati Peth Road and Jail Road areas. Food safety officer teams also raided Dhule, Jalgaon, Pachora, Sangamner, Shrirampur and Sawedi.
The administration has taken legal samples of all the seized food items and sent them to the lab for testing. Criminal cases will be registered against those found adulterating food under the strict provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The Food and Drug Administration of Nashik division has also made an important appeal to citizens, saying that no tampering with public health will be tolerated. If anyone suspects adulterated food is being made or sold anywhere, citizens can immediately file a complaint on the FDA's official portal.
