The Gujarat Food and Drugs Department confiscated 2,548 kilograms of suspected adulterated mawa valued at about Rs 5.10 lakh from a dairy unit in Sabarkantha district. Additionally, 550 kilograms of inedible mawa made in unhygienic conditions were disposed of on-site. The raid, conducted at Bholenath Dairy in Rozad village, was prompted by specific intelligence inputs received by the Gandhinagar Flying Squad.
State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya directed the raid as part of a broader crackdown on food adulteration and illegal food production activities across Gujarat. Officials discovered large-scale production of allegedly adulterated mawa and unauthorized manufacturing of sweet barfi at the dairy. Samples of loose mawa and barfi were collected for analysis, and the seized adulterated mawa was sent for further legal procedures.
The inspection team encountered extremely unsanitary conditions at the dairy premises during the operation. Due to concerns over public health safety, 550 kilograms of mawa produced in such unhygienic settings were deemed unfit for consumption and promptly destroyed. Bholenath Dairy has been issued an Improvement Notice under the Food Safety and Standards Act for alleged violations, leading to the immediate suspension of its food license pending ongoing investigations.
State authorities emphasized their commitment to combating food adulteration, with Pansheriya warning against compromising public health for profit. The Food and Drugs Department vowed to maintain rigorous inspections and surveillance to curb adulteration and illegal food-related practices in Gujarat.
