Ahmedabad Authorities Uncover Fake Ketchup Operation, Seize 2,000 Kilograms of Product
Ahmedabad officials shut down a food unit producing fake ketchup without tomatoes, seizing 2,000 kg of product and raw materials.
Ahmedabad, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : Ahmedabad’s municipal corporation has shut down a food manufacturing unit in the Baharampura area for producing a ketchup-like product without any tomatoes. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) seized nearly 2,000 kilograms of both finished products and raw materials during the operation.
The AMC’s food safety department took action against “MJF Food,” which sells products under the brand name “Tasty Snack Touch Up.” During the investigation, numerous discrepancies were found in the company’s manufacturing processes, labeling, and documentation.
According to officials, the product was made using potato flakes and corn flour, along with sugar, salt, colorants, acetic acid, preservatives, and stabilizers. Despite resembling tomato ketchup in appearance and texture, no tomatoes were used at any stage of production.
The department is currently examining the product’s presentation and labeling to ensure consumers are not misled into believing it contains tomatoes. The product was being sold in five-kilogram packs for 100 rupees. Questions were also raised about the unit’s FSSAI registration details during the investigation.
Authorities noted that the displayed registration number, 2072605400039, was linked to “MJF Food” at the address: Survey No. 141/142/143, Plot No. 150 (Part), Sub-Plot No. 20, Lucky Estate, Pirana Sewage Farm Road, Baharampura, Ahmedabad. Discrepancies in the displayed details and the information related to the business unit led to further investigation.
The product label mentioned water, vegetable pulp (10%), stabilizing agents (INS-1422 and INS-415), iodized salt, acidity regulators (INS-260), red chili powder, spices, and other ingredients. However, the unit failed to provide purchase bills to verify the actual use of the listed ingredients.
Following the inspection, the department sealed the unit and confiscated approximately 2,000 kilograms of finished products, potato powder, and other raw materials, halting their sale and distribution. A sample of the sauce was also taken for laboratory analysis.
The department stated, “Further legal action will be based on the laboratory analysis report and the results of ongoing investigations.” They reiterated that food business operators must possess valid FSSAI licenses or registrations, accurately display relevant details, maintain purchase bills and other necessary records, and provide precise information on product labels.
