Amul Among Entities to Receive Notices in Jaipur Expired Products Investigation
Health authorities in Jaipur have announced that they will issue formal notices to multiple parties, including the prominent dairy cooperative Amul, as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged tampering and planned resale of approximately 1.5 lakh kilograms of expired Amul-branded products. This move follows initial findings that have raised serious concerns about food safety violations in the region.
Parties Under Scrutiny and Initial Findings
Officials have identified several entities likely to receive these notices. These include the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union in Gujarat, which operates under the Amul brand; Advansis India Private Limited; and a Jaipur-based firm known as Athlete Distributor. In the preliminary stages of the probe, the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control (CFSDC) discovered that Athlete Distributor's operating licence had recently expired, adding to the complexity of the case.
T Shubhamangala, the commissioner of CFSDC, clarified the situation, stating, "We will serve notice to Amul. It does not mean they are directly involved in the case, but this action is a mandatory requirement under the Food Safety and Standards Act to ensure thorough investigation." She further explained that Amul had a memorandum of understanding with Advansis India Pvt Ltd for the supply of its products, while Gagan Ahuja, associated with Athlete Distributor, had purchased goods nearing their expiry dates from Advansis.
Seizure of Evidence and Ongoing Inquiries
During the investigation, officials made significant seizures, including machinery specifically used to erase expiry dates and relabel products, along with new packaging boxes. This evidence points to a systematic attempt to alter product information, potentially endangering consumer health. The inquiry is now actively tracing the source of this packaging material to uncover the full extent of the operation.
The case highlights critical issues in food safety compliance and supply chain integrity. Authorities are emphasizing that the issuance of notices is a procedural step to gather all relevant information and does not imply guilt at this stage. However, the scale of the alleged tampering—involving 1.5 lakh kg of expired products—underscores the urgency of the probe to prevent such incidents in the future and protect public health.
