Gujarat's Food and Drug Regulatory Authority (FDRA) flying squad on Friday raided Ganpati Cleaning Factory in Unjha, Mehsana district, seizing 3,548 kilograms of loose fennel seeds allegedly mixed with a prohibited green colouring agent to artificially enhance their appearance. The operation, confirmed by officials on Saturday, 23 May, also uncovered 140 kilograms of the banned adulterant dye on the premises. The total estimated value of the seized stock stands at approximately ₹3.30 lakh.

What the Raid Uncovered

The FDRA flying squad, dispatched from Gandhinagar, conducted a surprise inspection at the factory as part of a statewide enforcement drive against food adulteration. Preliminary findings indicated that the prohibited green colour was being blended into fennel seeds to give them a visually appealing hue before they were distributed in the market.

Investigators additionally found that the factory operators did not hold a valid food licence from the competent authority for manufacturing food products at the site — a separate regulatory violation compounding the adulteration charge.

Samples Sent for Lab Analysis

Authorities seized the entire stock and dispatched samples of both the fennel seeds and the green colouring substance to a government laboratory for testing and analysis. Officials said formal legal proceedings against the factory owners will be initiated once the laboratory report is received.

The seized material reportedly poses risks to public health, given that the colouring agent used is prohibited under food safety regulations. The absence of a valid licence also suggests the unit may have been operating outside the formal regulatory framework.

Government's Zero-Tolerance Stance

The action was carried out under directions from Gujarat State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, who has been overseeing a statewide special drive against food adulteration. Pansheriya directed officials to pursue strict action under relevant legal provisions once the laboratory findings are submitted.

'Strict and punitive action against illegal activities and adulterators will continue in the future as well,' Pansheriya said, reiterating the state government's commitment to protecting public health through continuous inspections and monitoring.

Broader Enforcement Drive

The Gujarat Food and Drug Regulatory Authority has been conducting inspections and enforcement operations across multiple districts as part of sustained efforts to curb the sale and distribution of adulterated food products. This raid in Unjha — a town known as a major hub for spice and seed trading — is among the latest in a series of targeted actions under the statewide campaign. Notably, Unjha accounts for a significant share of India's fennel seed trade, making adulteration at this node a concern with potential supply-chain implications well beyond Mehsana.

With lab results pending, the full scale of the alleged adulteration network and the extent of market distribution remain to be established.