Delhi Police has uncovered an alleged food safety fraud by raiding a warehouse in Okhla Phase-II and seizing food products worth more than ₹20 lakh. Investigators allege that expired and near-expiry food products of international brands were repackaged and relabelled with forged manufacturing and expiry dates before being resold in the market.
According to the investigation, the accused purchased expired or near-expiry food products at heavily discounted prices. They allegedly used chemical thinners to erase the original manufacturing and expiry dates before printing counterfeit dates using specialised machines. Officials further alleged that fake nutrition labels, batch numbers, barcodes and Maximum Retail Price (MRP) stickers were affixed to make the products appear genuine and newly manufactured.
Authorities suspect that the altered products were supplied across India and may also have been exported through e-commerce channels. Investigators are now examining the entire supply chain and identifying potential buyers connected to the alleged racket.
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The seized stock included several well-known consumer products such as Thums Up, Fanta, Bournvita, Horlicks, ghee, Maggi noodles, two-litre soft drink bottles, beverage cans and Paper Boat juices.
During the raid, officials also recovered machines allegedly used for printing, sealing and altering manufacturing and expiry dates. Preliminary findings indicate that the premises was operating as a fully functional illegal repackaging and food adulteration centre.
Seven people, including the company’s owner Darshan Singh Sachdeva, have been arrested in connection with the case. The other accused are manager Nitesh Bhardwaj, accountant Narender Kumar, machine operator Kapil, warehouse keeper Lucky Ojha, and supervisors Prem Yadav and Pawan Kumar Yadav.
According to officials, the inspection was initially launched following intelligence regarding the alleged use of child labour at the premises. Although no minors were found during the search, investigators uncovered what they described as an organised operation involving the repackaging of expired food products and the manipulation of manufacturing and expiry dates.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are continuing to identify other individuals connected to the network, trace the distribution chain and determine the financial beneficiaries. Authorities said strict legal action would be taken against those found responsible for endangering public health through the sale of adulterated and expired food products.
