Yogi govt’s FSDA seizes ₹15.70 cr worth of suspected ‘adulterated’ pan masala
Lucknow, August 22: The Yogi government’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Uttar Pradesh has launched a sweeping crackdown on Pan Masala manufacturing units in Kanpur Nagar and Lucknow, seizing 339.69 quintals of suspected adulterated food items worth over ₹15.70 crore, collecting 92 samples for testing, and destroying 36.15 quintals of perishable material valued at ₹10.18 lakh on the spot.
As per the information, at least, 52 Food Flying Squads were deployed in the drive under the direction of Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr Roshan Jacob. A total of 55 pan masala manufacturing units were inspected in both districts. Of these, 19 were found to be operational, while 36 were closed for various reasons. The department also investigated the activities of the closed units and, where other businesses were being operated under the guise of a pan masala manufacturing license, issued show-cause notices and directed the cancellation of the license.
Under the leadership of Additional Commissioner (Administration) Rekha S. Chauhan, the Uttar Pradesh FSDA deployed 41 teams to inspect 41 pan masala manufacturing units in Kanpur, finding 12 operational and 29 non-functional, seizing food items worth about ₹13.5 crore, collecting 10 samples, and suspending the unit’s license while shutting down its business.
During the operation, Radha Rani Fragrances’ license was suspended and the premises completely sealed after it was found to be manufacturing pan masala and tobacco on the same premises. Betel nuts worth ₹72,000 were seized. Food items worth ₹15.16 lakh were seized from 10 samples taken from AA Flowers International, approximately ₹9 lakh from Shri Krishna Fragrances, ₹19.5 lakh from Om & Company, and approximately ₹45 lakh from Trimurti Fresheners & Flavors. A total of 59 samples were taken from active units during the operation, and food items and adulterants worth over ₹15 crore were seized from 7 units based on irregularities such as unsanitary conditions, lack of records of source of raw materials, failure to display statutory warnings on packages as required, use of lime for industrial purposes, and manufacturing of tobacco and pan masala on the same premises. Approximately ₹13 crore was seized from the SNK brand unit alone, while the remaining material worth approximately ₹2 crore was seized from six other units.
Several brands, including Gomti, are under investigation in Lucknow
Lucknow also witnessed large-scale action during the campaign. Five samples were taken from Raj Kishore Sons 1972 Pvt. Ltd. (RK brand), and 76 kg of food items were seized. Seven samples were taken from The Balaji Special Flavors Pvt. Ltd. (Kayam brand) in Shimla, and 3,404 kg of food items, valued at approximately ₹38.54 lakh, were seized. Four samples were taken from KVN FMCG Pvt. Ltd. (Kamala Pasand and Rajshree brands), and 2,459.4 kg of catechu powder, valued at approximately ₹18.44 lakh, was seized.
Ten samples were taken from Satya Narayan Kesho Ram Pvt. Ltd. (Kalash brand). Nine samples were taken from Gomti Industries Pvt. Ltd., and 12,307.4 kg of food items, with an estimated value of ₹59.38 lakh, were seized.
