The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered an alleged food-label tampering operation in Navi Mumbai in which expiry dates and nutritional information on packaged products were reportedly altered for overseas markets. FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe said he was “absolutely shocked by the scale” of the operation, which was uncovered during a joint investigation involving the FDA and Turbhe police. Authorities seized food products and related material valued at around ₹75.21 lakh and initiated action against 12 people in connection with the case.

The operation began after the Crime Branch’s Central Cell received information that original expiry dates on packaged food products were allegedly being erased and replaced with extended dates. A team led by Senior Inspector Ajay Shinde raided the premises on August 24 and found chemicals reportedly used to remove original manufacturing and expiry information. Investigators also recovered machines, replacement labels and other equipment allegedly used to relabel the products. Officials said several items were either expired or approaching their expiry dates, while some allegedly carried future manufacturing dates.

The products recovered from the warehouse included several widely sold brands, including Lay’s, Kurkure, Maggi noodles, Knorr soup, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, Thums Up and Limca. Authorities said nearly 5,000 cartons of packaged food were present at the premises. The investigation indicated that the alleged tampering involved more than simply extending expiry dates, with officials also finding altered nutritional and ingredient labels. In one reported instance involving Maggi noodles, a replacement label described the product as “Product of India” and was allegedly pasted over the original packaging.

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Investigators also found a Kurkure packet carrying a bilingual English-French nutrition label. According to the case details, information relating to ingredients, calorie content and serving sizes had allegedly been modified, apparently to meet requirements for overseas markets. Authorities said the recovered stock was intended for export, although the specific destination countries were not immediately identified. The presence of foreign-language packaging and replacement labels has prompted investigators to examine how the products were being prepared and distributed through the export supply chain.

The warehouse was allegedly operated by privately owned Sadhana Enterprises. According to the state government and police case documents, the owner claimed that the company carried out the work on behalf of 19 exporters. The investigation subsequently led to action against 12 people. Officials are continuing to examine the alleged network of exporters and the movement of products through the facility. The police case does not accuse PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola or Unilever of involvement in the alleged tampering, despite products from their brands being among those recovered.

Mundhe described the alleged operation as systematic and said the case raised concerns about compliance and accountability across food-product supply chains. He stressed that companies must ensure branding, packaging and sale of food products comply with applicable regulations. The investigation is now focused on determining the full extent of the alleged relabelling activity, the parties involved and how the products were intended to reach overseas consumers. Authorities are expected to take further action as the inquiry into the seized stock and associated exporters continues.

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