Anantnag, May 14: The Food Safety Department in Anantnag has seized 150 cases of a basil seed drink marketed as an imported product under the “American” brand during raids conducted across the district, officials said Thursday.
The seized stock is valued at approximately Rs 3.56 lakh.
The raids were conducted at M/S Aayet Trading Company at General Bus Stand Anantnag, M/S Hamas on Bypass Road and M/S Valley Traders & Distributors at Pushoo Market following “credible inputs” regarding the sale of the product in local markets, officials said.
“During scrutiny of the labels, serious discrepancies were observed,” an official said..
Officials said the product was labelled as “American” brand basil seed drink, claiming to be a “Product of Thailand” manufactured by “Golden AND SUN EXPORT, Bangkok, Thailand.”
However, authorities said the labels lacked mandatory importer details and carried a fake FSSAI licence number.
“Investigation conducted so far suggests that despite being marketed as an imported commodity, the product is suspected to have been manufactured locally,” the official said.
According to officials, preliminary investigation revealed that the consignments had allegedly been procured from firms based in Sonipat, New Delhi and Jammu.
The department said the seized stock has been taken into custody for legal and analytical proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while samples have been sent for laboratory analysis.
“The Department of Food Safety reiterates its commitment towards safeguarding public health and advises consumers to remain cautious while purchasing food products carrying suspicious or misleading labels,” an official said.
