India busts firm faking expiry dates, nutrition labels on PepsiCo, Nestle food exports

Business Recorder, citing a Reuters report, said Indian authorities raided an illegal operation in Navi Mumbai that altered expiry dates and nutrition details on food made by PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever. The goods were prepared for export, and officers seized stock valued at nearly $80,000 after a six-day inquiry. Reuters was given access to the site during the probe.

The warehouse, run by Sadhana Enterprises, held nearly 5,000 cartons, along with chemicals used to erase dates and machines that printed replacement labels. According to its owner, the firm carried out the work for 19 little-known exporters, and officials said most products had expired or were close to expiry. Mundhe said the stock was entirely meant for overseas buyers, though the destinations remained unclear.

Maharashtra has stepped up food safety checks under its new Food and Drug Administration head, Tukaram Mundhe, whose inspections have drawn wide attention. He urged companies to ensure packaging and sales follow regulations and called for accountability across supply chains. The four companies did not respond to Reuters requests for comment, and it was unclear whether any arrests had been made.