Authorities in Jaipur have destroyed approximately 1.5 lakh kilograms of expired Amul-branded non-dairy products following a major enforcement action by the Rajasthan Food Safety Department over alleged expiry-date manipulation.
The operation, which lasted four days, involved transporting seized goods in 27 truckloads to a designated dumping site for destruction. Officials said the products were found stored in a warehouse located in the Kho Nagorian area and were allegedly being prepared for resale after tampering with expiry dates.
Warehouse Inspection Following Public Complaint
According to officials, the inspection was triggered by a complaint filed through the state helpline. A team from the Chief Medical Officer’s office conducted a raid at the warehouse operated by Messrs Athlete Distributor, where large quantities of packaged food items were discovered.
The seized stock reportedly included several non-dairy products marketed under the Amul brand, including noodles, ketchup, mayonnaise and energy drinks. These products were manufactured by Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited and supplied through Advansys India Private Limited.
Evidence of Alleged Date Manipulation
During the inspection, officials identified approximately 12,000 cartons containing products that had already expired, while around 3,000 cartons showed signs that expiry dates had been erased from packaging.
Investigators also reportedly recovered chemicals such as acetone and thinner, which were allegedly used to remove printed expiry dates. Authorities believe the operator intended to reprint new dates and repack the goods into roughly 4,500 new cartons bearing the Amul brand before distributing them in the market.
Officials stated that the individual involved allegedly admitted to learning the method of altering expiry dates through online videos.
Regulatory Action Under Food Safety Law
The warehouse has since been sealed, and business operations of the distributor have been suspended pending further investigation. Authorities also noted that the distributor’s food licence had already expired at the time of the raid.
Officials from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India confirmed that notices are being issued to the relevant firms under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Further legal action is expected against the distributor for storing expired food products, attempting to sell tampered goods, operating without a valid licence, and violating food safety regulations.
Food Safety Concerns in Packaged Food Supply Chains
Incidents involving expiry-date tampering highlight ongoing risks within parts of the food distribution chain. While organised brands maintain strict manufacturing and quality standards, unauthorised handling and resale of near-expiry or expired products within secondary distribution networks remains a regulatory concern.
Food safety authorities emphasised that strict monitoring and enforcement are essential to protect consumer health and maintain trust in the packaged food sector.
