Gujarat: 3,548 kg fennel seeds mixed with prohibited colour seized in Unjha
Mehsana, May 23
A major food adulteration racket involving the use of prohibited colouring agents in fennel seeds was uncovered in Unjha of Mehsana district after a raid by the Gujarat Food and Drug Regulatory Authority's flying squad from Gandhinagar, officials said on Saturday.
During the operation at Ganpati Cleaning Factory in Unjha, Food Safety Officers seized 3,548 kilograms of loose fennel seeds allegedly mixed with prohibited green colour to enhance their appearance.
Officials also confiscated 140 kilograms of green adulterant colour believed to have been used in the process. The total value of the seized stock has been estimated at around Rs 3.30 lakh.
The action was carried out as part of a statewide special drive against food adulteration being conducted under the instructions of State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya.
The state government said it was adopting a "zero tolerance" policy against elements involved in adulteration and activities affecting public health.
According to officials, a surprise inspection was conducted by the flying squad at the factory on Friday.
During the preliminary investigation, authorities found that prohibited colour was allegedly being mixed into fennel seeds to give them an attractive green appearance before distribution in the market.
Officials also found that the factory operators did not possess a valid food licence issued by the competent authority for manufacturing food products at the premises.
Authorities said the operation revealed not only alleged risks to public health but also violations of food safety regulations.
The entire stock was seized and samples of the fennel seeds as well as the green colouring substance used as an adulterant were sent to a laboratory for analysis and testing.
Officials said further legal action would be initiated against the owners of the factory after the laboratory analysis report is received.
Pansheriya directed officials to take strict action under relevant legal provisions once the report is submitted.
Pansheriya said the state government remained committed to protecting public health through continuous inspections and monitoring activities. "Strict and punitive action against illegal activities and adulterators will continue in the future as well," he said.
The Food and Drug Regulatory Authority has been carrying out inspections and enforcement drives in different parts of Gujarat as part of efforts to curb the sale and distribution of adulterated food products.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Had the government not been strict, this would have continued. 3,500 kg is a huge quantity. These adulterators think they can fool people for quick profits. A fine of Rs 3.30 lakh is too little for this offence. Should make an example out of these people.
Fennel seeds are used in everything - as a mouth freshener, in curries, even as a digestive after meals. Adulterating them with prohibited colours is a direct attack on public health. I appreciate the Health Minister taking a 'zero tolerance' stance, but we need more surprise checks like this across all states, not just Gujarat. Unjha is known as Asia's biggest spice market, so such actions here send a strong message.
Does anyone know what this prohibited colour actually is? Is it something like metanil yellow or some industrial dye? The article doesn't mention the specific chemical. Also, 140 kg of colour for 3,500 kg of seeds means the adulteration ratio is quite high. This is not a small-time violation; it's a systematic racket. The owners must be jailed.
I'm from Canada but I love Indian spices! This is very alarming because fennel seeds are also exported. This could harm India's reputation as a reliable spice exporter. Glad to see Gujarat taking action. Hope other states follow and the offenders face strict punishment. Cleanliness in food processing is non-negotiable.
Unjha is the hub for spices in North Gujarat. This is a serious issue because many local brands source
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