Anita Kanwal finds 'cat excreta' in sealed Haldiram's soya sticks packet
Synopsis
Veteran TV actress Anita Kanwal has alleged she found 'cat excreta' inside a sealed Haldiram's soya sticks packet — and has publicly demanded a food safety probe, tagging both the brand and a senior official known for cracking down on contamination. Haldiram's has not yet responded.
Key Takeaways
Anita Kanwal alleged finding 'cat excreta' inside a sealed Haldiram's soya sticks packet on 23 July .
The actress shared a video on Instagram urging consumers to stop buying the brand's products until the matter is resolved.
She directly appealed to official Tukaram Mundhe , tagging his handle and requesting a formal investigation.
Kanwal stated she is prepared to hand over the product for examination at any location specified by authorities.
Haldiram's had not issued a public response as of the time of reporting.
Veteran television actress Anita Kanwal has alleged that she discovered what appeared to be 'cat excreta' inside a sealed packet of Haldiram's soya sticks, sparking outrage on social media. The actress shared a video on Instagram on 23 July, urging authorities to investigate the matter and asking consumers to stop purchasing the brand's products until the issue is addressed.
What Anita Kanwal Claimed
In the video, Kanwal described the discovery in detail, stating in Hindi: 'Today a very strange and disgusting incident has happened to me. I was eating this Haldiram's soya sticks and when I put my hand inside, this came out of it. This is definitely cat's excreta which was found in this closed packet.'
She also directly appealed to Tukaram Mundhe, a senior official known for taking strict action on food safety violations, requesting him to personally intervene. 'I have heard that you are paying a lot of attention to all this. I request you to investigate this matter and DM me. I will send you this product wherever you say,' she said, adding that the situation could have been life-threatening for a child.
The Social Media Appeal
In her Instagram caption, Kanwal tagged Haldiram's official handle and wrote: 'Look what I found in a haldiram packet. It must be cat shit. Totally disgusted. Whom do we trust. This is a big brand. You have to answer this.' She also tagged @tukaram_ias, urging him to investigate, noting he is 'known to take strict action against food contamination.'
Kanwal concluded her video with a public advisory: 'So please, until this matter is sorted out, I request everyone not to eat… Because such a big carelessness is not tolerable.' The video has since circulated widely, drawing reactions from consumers and food safety advocates alike.
Background on the Actress
Anita Kanwal is a veteran of Indian television, known for her roles in serials such as Chanakya, Shanti, and Sonpari. She is widely recognised for her negative portrayal of Mrs. Seth in Banegi Apni Baat. She made her film debut in 1993 with Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
What Happens Next
As of the time of reporting, Haldiram's had not issued a public response to the allegations. The matter has been flagged to food safety authorities, and Kanwal has indicated she is prepared to submit the product for official examination. This incident adds to a growing list of consumer complaints against packaged food brands in India, where food contamination cases have periodically triggered regulatory scrutiny.
Point of View
But they also risk trial-by-social-media before any lab verification. Kanwal's video names a major brand and a public official in the same breath, which is a calculated escalation. The real question is whether food safety regulators will respond to the Instagram tag faster than they would to an ordinary consumer complaint — and what that asymmetry says about accountability in India's packaged food sector.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anita Kanwal find in the Haldiram's packet?
Anita Kanwal claims she found what appeared to be 'cat excreta' inside a sealed packet of Haldiram's soya sticks. She shared a video on Instagram showing the alleged contamination and urged authorities to investigate.
Has Haldiram's responded to Anita Kanwal's allegations?
As of the time of reporting, Haldiram's had not issued a public statement in response to Kanwal's claims. The actress has tagged the brand's official Instagram handle and demanded an explanation.
Who is Tukaram Mundhe and why was he tagged?
Tukaram Mundhe is a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official known for taking strict action on food safety and civic violations. Kanwal tagged him on social media and requested him to personally investigate the matter and direct her on where to submit the product for examination.
Is the contamination claim verified?
The claim has not been independently verified as of the time of reporting. Kanwal has alleged the substance is cat excreta based on her own observation and has offered to submit the product for official testing. No laboratory analysis has been publicly confirmed.
Who is Anita Kanwal?
Anita Kanwal is a veteran Indian television actress best known for her role as Mrs. Seth in Banegi Apni Baat. She has also appeared in serials such as Chanakya, Shanti, and Sonpari, and made her film debut in 1993 with Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa alongside Shah Rukh Khan.
