What’s in your Maggi, Kurkure packets? FDA busts Rs 75-lakh racket

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered a food packaging racket in Navi Mumbai, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The operation, conducted between August 24 and 29, involved joint efforts with the Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch. Officials seized various products, including Maggi, Lay’s, Kurkure, Fun Flips, Maggi Masala, and Atta Noodles, among other ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food items.

The investigation revealed that manufacturing and expiry or use-by dates on food packaging were being altered, with original labels containing ingredient and nutritional information being replaced with fresh stickers. These items were subsequently repackaged. The FDA subsequently suspended Sadhana Enterprises' license, located in Turbhe's TTC Industrial Area.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration faced criticism from the Bombay High Court for acting with undue haste and taking a pedantic approach, rather than a pragmatic one. The court directed the FDA to withdraw its order suspending five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex, which were found to be 88% compliant with food safety regulations.

The court also overturned the FDA's decision to cancel Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd's drug sale licence due to packaging and recall violations.