In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (UPFSDA) seized substandard and expired food products valued at over Rs 7 lakh during surprise inspections in the Sahibabad Industrial Area. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, targeted two commercial establishments in Site-IV of the industrial hub.
Major Seizure of Substandard Tea Leaves
The largest haul comprised 2,218 kg of suspected substandard tea leaves, worth approximately Rs 6 lakh, recovered from a private company's warehouse. Additionally, enforcement teams confiscated 408 kg of dairy-based drink mixes valued at nearly Rs 94,000. Assistant Commissioner of Food, Suresh Rai, revealed that initial information about the substandard tea leaves originated from a neighboring district, prompting an investigation that traced the source to the Sahibabad godown, which had been operational for the last five years.
Suspected Use of Synthetic Colors
Rai stated that preliminary assessments indicate manufacturers may have used synthetic colors in the tea leaves. “When you put the tea in cold water, it immediately starts bleeding color, which should not happen. We have sent samples for examination, and the report is expected within a month,” he explained.
Other Expired and Adulterated Products Seized
Inspectors also discovered and seized expired stocks of roasted peanuts, mocktail syrups, and quality-compromised goat cheese, allegedly stored for commercial distribution. Rai told the Times of India that some milk-based drinks sold as protein supplements were also confiscated. “We have sent samples of these as we suspect adulteration,” he added.
Legal Action Initiated
Officials confirmed that strict legal proceedings have been initiated against the concerned units for violations of food safety regulations. This operation follows a similar seizure in April, when the food department destroyed 900 kg of fake paneer worth Rs 2.25 lakh in Ghaziabad, after a routine police check alerted authorities.
