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Mumbai, Sep 06: Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has reacted strongly to the recent discovery of an alleged illegal operation in Navi Mumbai where expiry dates and nutritional information on food products meant for export were allegedly altered.
Sharing his views on X, Mundhe wrote, "When a label lies, the consumer pays the price."
His post came after Maharashtra food authorities raided a warehouse in Navi Mumbai and found an alleged operation involving the removal and replacement of manufacturing dates, expiry dates, and nutritional labels on products made by major companies, including PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Hindustan Unilever.
According to the investigation, authorities found nearly 5,000 cartons of consumer products at the warehouse. The products included PepsiCo's Lay's and Kurkure, Nestle's Maggi Masala Noodles, Unilever's Knorr Mushroom Soup and Hellmann's Mayonnaise, and Coca-Cola's Thums Up and Limca. Officials allegedly found that dates had been removed from several packets and cans.
Authorities also found machines allegedly used to print and apply new information on the packaging. F
One Kurkure packet reportedly had a bilingual English and French label. The altered label changed some ingredient information, including the quantity of cereal products, along with calorie and serving-size details.
Officials also found Maggi cartons with labels describing the products as a "Product of India" for export.
When those promises are deliberately manipulated, it is not merely a violation of regulations, it is a breach of public trust," he wrote. It was not immediately clear which countries the products were being sent to, though Mundhe added.
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