EXPIRED PACKAGED FOOD SEIZED AFTER HELPLINE PLAINT

Jaipur: Food safety officials in Jaipur foiled an attempt to sell expired packaged food after a complaint was received through the state's 181 helpline Wednesday. Acting on the alert, a team from the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control raided Messrs Athlete Distributor in the Kho Nagoriyan area and seized a large stock of expired products, officials said.

Chief Medical Health Officer (Jaipur II) Dr Manish Mittal said the inspection was ordered immediately after the complaint was registered. During the raid, officials found around 3,000 cartons of non-dairy packaged food products of the Amul brand, including noodles, ketchup, mayonnaise and energy drinks, all of which were past their expiry date.

Officials alleged that expiry dates had been erased from about 1,000 cartons. The firm owner, Gagan Ahuja, was allegedly preparing to sell the stock after removing original expiry markings using chemicals and printing fresh dates. The inspection also revealed that the firm's food licence had expired.

During questioning, Ahuja reportedly told officials that the manufacturer had refused to take back the expired goods. He allegedly admitted to learning methods to alter expiry dates from online videos and planned to sell the products through online platforms.

The food safety team seized the stock, which will be destroyed at the Jaipur Municipal Corporation dumping yard. Samples of select items were collected for testing. Officials said action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The premises have been sealed and the firm owner barred from food business until further orders.