A food adulteration racket involving prohibited colorants in fennel seeds was discovered in Unjha, Mehsana district. The Gujarat Food and Drug Regulatory Authority’s flying squad raided Ganpati Cleaning Factory and seized 3,548 kilograms of fennel seeds mixed with banned green colorants. Additionally, 140 kilograms of the adulterant color were confiscated, totaling around Rs 3.30 lakh.
The raid was part of a statewide drive against food adulteration directed by State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya. The government emphasized a “zero tolerance” policy towards adulteration impacting public health. Authorities found that the fennel seeds were being colored green illegally to enhance their market appeal.
The factory lacked a valid food license, raising concerns about public health risks and violations of food safety regulations. All seized items, including samples of fennel seeds and the adulterant, were sent for laboratory analysis. Legal action against the factory owners is pending the laboratory report.
Pansheriya instructed officials to take strict legal action post the report’s submission. The government vowed to uphold public health through rigorous inspections and enforcement. The Food and Drug Regulatory Authority is actively conducting inspections to combat the sale of adulterated food products in Gujarat.
