In a statement to TOI, joint magistrate Prem Prakash Meena said, “We have seized over 300 kg of fake spices being packed in names of some local brands.” He added that during the raid, several spurious ingredients used to prepare the fake spices were found, including donkey dung, hay (bhusa), inedible colours and drums full of acids.
Located in Navipur area of Hathras the spices factory was making fake spices and during the raid police recovered 300 kg of adulterated spices included coriander powder, red chilli powder, turmeric and spice mix (garam masala) and around 27 samples have been sent for tests and an FIR will be registered under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006.
The factory used to prepare the fake spices by including donkey dung, hay (bhusa), inedible colours and drums full of acids to a small portion of authentic spice.
The unit owner, Anoop Varshney, who is also the office-bearer of the Hindu Yuva Vahini, has been arrested. He was unable to provide a license for operating the spice factory at the location where it was being run. He also could not produce the license of the brands, which were being packed. He has been remanded to judicial custody under section 151 of the CrPC (arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences).
If we go by the statement of food department officials, such adulterants might prove to be a health hazard, especially if consumed over a long period of time.
