In a significant crackdown on food adulteration, the Delhi Police's Crime Branch has dismantled a sophisticated syndicate accused of importing expired food items from abroad, repackaging them, and fraudulently selling them as fresh products to unsuspecting consumers, posing severe health risks.
Massive Haul from Sadar Bazar Raids
Acting on specific intelligence, police teams conducted simultaneous raids at locations in Pahari Dheeraj and Faiz Ganj within the bustling Sadar Bazar area, known for its wholesale markets. The operation resulted in the seizure of expired food products with an estimated market value of a staggering Rs 4.3 crore.
The confiscated consignment was enormous in scale, including:
- 43,762 kilograms of assorted food items.
- 14,665 litres of beverages.
A detailed breakdown reveals the seizure included popular snack items like chocolates, biscuits, wafers, candies, and chips weighing 6,047 kg. Furthermore, a massive quantity of 23,050 kg of condiments, including ketchup, sauces, vinegar, and mayonnaise, was also impounded.
Mastermind and Modus Operandi Uncovered
During the operation, seven individuals were arrested. The alleged kingpin has been identified as Atal Jaiswal (54), who also owned the godown where the expired goods were stored and repackaged. The other arrested accused are Shiv Kumar (40), Bishwajit Dhara (25), Vinod (43), Arun Kumar (30), Vijay Kant (50), and Shamim (30).
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora stated that officials from the Delhi government's Food Safety Department were immediately summoned to the raid sites. Samples were collected for detailed analysis, and the entire stock was seized.
Investigation has revealed that the syndicate, led by Jaiswal, would procure near-expiry or expired food products at heavily discounted rates through agents based in Mumbai. These agents, in turn, sourced the substandard goods from countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Dubai. Once in India, the items were given new packaging with falsified dates before being introduced into the market.
Public Health Implications and Ongoing Probe
This racket represents a grave threat to public health, as consuming expired food can lead to serious foodborne illnesses, poisoning, and long-term health complications. The police action has potentially prevented a large quantity of hazardous products from reaching dinner tables across the region.
The case highlights critical vulnerabilities in the supply chain of imported food items. Authorities are now investigating the full network of distribution to trace where these repackaged products were sold. The involvement of the Food Safety Department indicates a multi-agency effort to address this menace, and further arrests or revelations are anticipated as the probe deepens.
