India Busts Firm Faking Expiry Dates on Food Products Meant for Export

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, raided a Mumbai warehouse allegedly involved in tampering with packaging details on branded food products meant for export.

The illegal operation erased manufacturers' original expiry dates using chemicals and altered nutritional information on products from major companies like PepsiCo and Nestlé. Products included Lay's potato chips, Kurkure, and Maggi noodles. Investigators seized goods and materials estimated to be worth nearly $80,000 (approximately ₹7,601,184) during a six-day inspection last week. Officials found machinery capable of producing and applying replacement labels.

At least one relabeled PepsiCo packet carried information in both English and French. A can of chemical solvent was spotted at the unhygienic warehouse, used to remove dates printed on packaging. Officials discovered nearly 5,000 cartons of consumer goods, with dates removed from several Kurkure and Maggi packets, as well as Thums Up cans. An operator would use a stylus on a computer screen to enter fabricated manufacturing and expiry dates.

Workers allegedly used a machine mounted on a metal table, bearing an "I love my India" sticker, to print replacement labels. Mundhe told Reuters on Tuesday, "I am absolutely shocked by the scale. It is like organised activity. It's been done systematically." Mundhe confirmed the entire stock was meant for export, though it was unclear which countries the products were intended for. Authorities said the majority of food items found had either already crossed their expiry dates or were close to doing so.