Mumbai Warehouse Raid Uncovers Faked Labels on Global Food Brands

A Mumbai warehouse has been raided by Indian authorities for allegedly faking expiry dates and nutrition labels on food export products manufactured by major companies such as PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola, and Unilever.

According to Reuters, the six-day investigation uncovered nearly $80,000 worth of seized goods, including Lay's potato chips and Maggi noodles. The warehouse, run by Sadhana Enterprises, was found to have chemicals used to remove original labels, machines to print new ones, and scores of replacement label packs.

Tukaram Mundhe, the head of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration, called the operation 'like organised activity' and said it had been done systematically. He added that companies must abide by regulations and ensure branding, packaging, and sale is done as per rules.

The investigation found fake labels on PepsiCo packets in English and French, while one Maggi carton had a nutrition label pasted on top of the original pack to make it export-ready.