AHMEDABAD: If you are one of those who like to munch on fennel seeds (variali in Gujarati) after a hearty meal, then here is some bitter truth. The Food and Drugs Control Authority (FDCA) officials raided a factory packing fennel seeds in Siddhpur and found that the manufacturer was using chemicals to enhance the colour of the seeds.
FDCA officials found that the factory owner Sanjay Patel was buying third grade fennel seeds from the market, which were to be discarded and then used synthetic dye to colour it green and give it a fresh look. "We seized more than 10,440 kilograms of the spurious fennel seeds packets from the firm which was called Satpal factory in Siddhpur town," said FDCA commissioner H G Koshia.
Koshia said that the raid was conducted after a tip-off was received on FDCA's helpline number 1800-233-5500. "The dye used in the fennel seeds was dangerous, we doubt whether it was edible. Under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, such a crime will invite six years of rigorous imprisonment and fine up to Rs 5 lakh," he said.
FDCA officials found that the factory owner Sanjay Patel was buying third grade fennel seeds from the market, which were to be discarded and then used synthetic dye to colour it green and give it a fresh look. "We seized more than 10,440 kilograms of the spurious fennel seeds packets from the firm which was called Satpal factory in Siddhpur town," said FDCA commissioner H G Koshia.
Koshia said that the raid was conducted after a tip-off was received on FDCA's helpline number 1800-233-5500. "The dye used in the fennel seeds was dangerous, we doubt whether it was edible. Under the new Food Safety and Standards Act, such a crime will invite six years of rigorous imprisonment and fine up to Rs 5 lakh," he said.
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