Lucknow, August 23: The Uttar Pradesh government has taken decisive action against those compromising food quality and consumer health. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) launched a significant operation in Kanpur and Lucknow, seizing over 339.69 quintals of suspected food products and adulterants valued at ₹15.70 crore.
During the operation, 92 samples were collected for testing, while 36.15 quintals of spoiled and perishable goods, worth ₹10.18 lakh, were destroyed on-site.
Under the guidance of Dr. Roshan Jacob, Commissioner of FSDA, 52 mobile food inspection teams were deployed. A total of 55 pan masala manufacturing units were inspected across both districts. Out of these, 19 units were found operational, while 36 were closed for various reasons.
The department also investigated the activities of the closed units. Notices were issued to revoke licenses for those operating other businesses under the guise of pan masala production. Led by Additional Commissioner (Administration) Rekha S. Chauhan, 41 teams conducted extensive inspections of 41 pan masala manufacturing units in Kanpur. Of these, 12 were operational, and 29 were non-functional.
Among the operational units, Greenworth Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (SNK), AA Flavours International Pvt. Ltd. (Signature), Trimurti Freshener and Flavours, and others were inspected. Following serious irregularities found at Greenworth Enterprises, officials were instructed to take strict action. Consequently, samples were taken, and food products worth approximately ₹13.5 crore were seized, leading to the suspension of the unit’s license.
During the operation, Radha Rani Fragrances was found manufacturing both pan masala and tobacco in the same premises, resulting in the suspension of its license and sealing of the site. Additionally, ₹72,000 worth of areca nut was confiscated. Samples from AA Flavours International led to the seizure of food products valued at ₹15.16 lakh, while approximately ₹9 lakh was seized from Shri Krishna Fragrances and ₹19.5 lakh from Om & Company.
Throughout the campaign, a total of 59 samples were collected from active units. Irregularities such as unsanitary conditions, lack of raw material source records, and improper labeling led to the seizure of over ₹15 crore worth of food products and adulterants from seven units. Notably, the SNK brand unit alone accounted for about ₹13 crore of this seizure.
In Lucknow, significant actions were also taken. From Raj Kishore Sons 1972 Pvt. Ltd. (RK brand), five samples were collected, leading to the seizure of 76 kilograms of material. The premises were found to be producing 72 kilograms of prohibited tobacco, prompting a recommendation for license suspension.
The FSDA discovered harmful adulterants and chemicals in four units, including industrial lime, magnesium carbonate, and banned colorants. The department has ordered the seizure or destruction of these adulterants and food products, along with the suspension of licenses.
The FSDA stated that these actions are in violation of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The licenses of such units are being suspended, and emergency prohibition orders are being issued under Section 34 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
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