The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), Gujarat, recently raided three factories for indulging in dangerous acts of adulteration.
The said factories were adulterating cumin seeds with artificial colour and Rajasthan marble stone powder to increase the weight of it with an eye on profits. Cumin seeds weighing 20,000 kg, worth more than Rs 7 lakh, have been seized.
Speaking to FnB News, H G Koshia, food and drugs commissioner, Gujarat, said, “Acting on a tip-off from a source in Tundao, Unjha, about these dubious processors we sprung into action and raided three factories indulged in this dangerous activity of adulteration in the cumin capital of the state of Unjha. This adulteration was unique.”
He added, “The accused procured raw marble dust from Rajasthan, which is a waste product and then applied it as a thin layer to C grade and smaller size fennel seeds using a binder. Artificial colour has been used to give this coated fennel, a cumin-like look. Besides, it also helps in manipulating the weight of the consignment.”
Koshia further stated, “We have already seized 20,000 kg of cumin seeds worth more than Rs 7 lakh. We have sent the samples for analysis and awaiting the report. If the report is positive we will prosecute them and they can also face six months imprisonment and fine upto Rs 1 lakh.”
“Lot of malpractices are being carried out by these factories’ owners. We have arrested all the three accused named Dinesh Patel, Haresh Patel and Dharmendra Patel who are associated with these factories. Police case has been registered against them and they are remanded in police custody for playing with the health of the consumers,” concluded Koshia.
