Mumbai: With Janmashtami celebrations fast approaching, devotees rushing to buy packaged sweets, dry fruits, and panjiri for bhog are being urged to exercise extreme caution. A recent crackdown by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on an expiry-date tampering racket in Navi Mumbai has sparked widespread concerns over food safety during the festive season.
According to FDA officials, a raid at a warehouse in the Turbhe area of Navi Mumbai uncovered a massive operation where expired food products were being repackaged with fake dates. Authorities seized approximately 5,000 cartons of popular consumer goods, including snacks, noodles, mayonnaise, and cold drinks. The culprits were reportedly using chemical solvents to wipe away original manufacturing and expiry dates, subsequently using machines to print new ones. Shockingly, officials found some products stamped with future manufacturing dates for October 2026.
While authorities noted that the seized stock was primarily intended for export, the revelation serves as a critical warning for domestic consumers. During Janmashtami, bhog offered to Lord Krishna is later distributed as prasad among children, the elderly, and fasting devotees. Offering spoiled or contaminated food is not merely a religious lapse but a severe public health hazard.
To ensure the purity and safety of festive offerings, experts advise buyers to remain vigilant and look out for seven key warning signs. Consumers should closely inspect packaging for any scratches, smudges, or erased ink marks near the date section. Double printing, overlapping numbers, or date ink that easily smears when touched are strong indicators of tampering.
Additionally, buyers must be wary of new stickers suspiciously pasted over existing labels to hide old information. Ensuring the packet’s seal is intact—avoiding bloated, leaking, or damaged containers—is crucial. Furthermore, checking for a valid FSSAI license number, clear batch details, and demanding a purchase bill can protect consumers from counterfeiters.
Authorities also remind buyers to distinguish between ‘Best Before’ and ‘Expiry Date’ tags. While the former indicates the peak quality period of an item, the latter marks the final deadline for safe consumption, after which perishable items like milk, mawa, and sweets must be strictly avoided.