What Actions Were Taken in Gujarat Against Adulterated Food?
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Synopsis
In a bold move to combat food safety issues, Gujarat’s FDCA has seized a staggering 46 tonnes of adulterated food products. This operation not only highlights the agency's commitment to public health but also emphasizes the ongoing battle against food fraud during a critical time. Discover the extensive measures being taken to ensure food safety!
Key Takeaways
- The FDCA seized 46 tonnes of adulterated food items in August.
- Raids were conducted across various districts in Gujarat.
- Major seizures included ghee and cooking mediums.
- Authorities are committed to ensuring food safety for citizens.
- Continued efforts will be made against food adulteration.
Gandhinagar, Sep 1 (NationPress) In a comprehensive operation targeting adulterated and substandard food items, the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) of Gujarat confiscated 46 tonnes of unfit products with an estimated value of around Rs 1.8 crore throughout August.
The enforcement actions were executed across several districts, focusing on ghee, palm oil, cooking oils, and silver foils.
Officials indicated that these measures were implemented to guarantee that residents have access to safe and pure food, especially during the sacred month of Shravan. According to FDCA Commissioner H.G. Koshia, nearly 10 raids were executed, resulting in the collection of 28 samples as part of regular checks and a special statewide initiative.
During this operation, additional items valued at Rs 1.77 lakh were seized, with authorities destroying approximately 32 kg of hazardous goods. The crackdown spanned cities including Surat, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, and Mehsana, among others.
Among the most significant seizures, 10 tonnes of ghee worth Rs 65 lakh were taken from Surat’s SRK Dairy Farm, with subsequent testing revealing it to be substandard.
In Ahmedabad, over 11 tonnes of ghee valued at Rs 10 lakh were confiscated from Mahadev Dairy, alongside palm oil and cooking mediums from various units such as Shivam Oil Industries (Daskroi) and Happy Oil Industries (Chhatral).
In Banaskantha, 824 kg of questionable ghee worth Rs 5.6 lakh was seized, while in Mehsana, raids conducted at Vijapur’s Divine Food led to the confiscation of 649 kg of paneer and 238 kg of refined palmolein oil.
Authorities have stated that the campaign will persist, with stringent actions planned against those involved in producing and selling fake food products. “The FDCA is dedicated to ensuring that the people of Gujarat have access to pure and safe food,” Koshia emphasized.
Earlier this year, the agency also confiscated 2,700 kg of questionable ghee and related products from a manufacturing facility in Surendranagar, valued at Rs 13 lakh, and 4,000 kg of adulterated ghee worth Rs 17.5 lakh from a dairy unit in Banaskantha.
These operations are part of a larger initiative: in the 2024–25 fiscal year, the FDCA conducted over 190 raids, recovering 351 tonnes of suspicious food items valued at Rs 10.5 crore, which included ghee, sweets, grains, and other festive necessities.
Point of View
It is imperative to acknowledge the proactive steps taken by the FDCA of Gujarat in addressing food safety concerns. The recent seizures underscore the importance of vigilance against adulteration, ensuring that consumers can trust the quality of the food they purchase. The ongoing efforts to combat food fraud will not only enhance public health but also strengthen consumer confidence in the food supply chain.
NationPress
02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of food items were seized in Gujarat?
The FDCA seized various adulterated food items, primarily focusing on ghee, palm oil, cooking mediums, and silver foil.
How much was the total value of the confiscated items?
The total value of the seized adulterated food items was approximately Rs 1.8 crore.
Which districts were involved in the raids?
The raids took place in multiple districts, including Surat, Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, and Mehsana.
What actions are being taken against violators?
The FDCA plans to continue strict actions against those involved in the manufacture and sale of spurious food products.
When did these raids occur?
The raids were conducted throughout August 2023.
