The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nagpur, has seized misbranded beverages, unauthorised medicines, nutraceutical products and prohibited food items worth over Rs 65 lakh during a series of enforcement drives across the city and district.
The action, carried out as part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with food and drug safety regulations, has exposed multiple alleged violations involving food products, healthcare establishments and pharmaceutical sales.
Misbranded Enerzal Products Worth Rs 55.67 Lakh Seized
The largest seizure involved stocks of Enerzal Energy and Electrolyte Drink, which were declared “misbranded” following laboratory analysis conducted by the State Food Laboratory under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Based on the laboratory findings, FDA officials traced the products to M/s FDC Limited and conducted inspections at the company’s MIDC facility in Nagpur. During the operation, authorities seized 36,366 litres of various Enerzal products valued at Rs 55.67 lakh.
The confiscated stock included Energy and Electrolyte Drinks, Ready-to-Serve Fruit Beverages in Orange, Blitz and Apple variants, as well as flavoured drink premixes. Officials said the action was taken to prevent the circulation of products that allegedly failed to meet prescribed food safety and labelling standards.
Skin Clinic Booked for Alleged Illegal Sale of Medicines
In a separate operation, FDA officials raided New Roots Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic near Dhantoli Garden following information about the alleged unauthorised sale of medicines.
During the inspection conducted on June 3, authorities allegedly found allopathic medicines being stored and sold without a valid drug sale licence. Medicines worth approximately Rs 7 lakh were seized from the premises.
The stock included 25 varieties of medicines such as antibiotics, antifungal drugs including Ketoconazole, medicated shampoos and proton pump inhibitors.
According to FDA officials, the clinic’s Operations Manager, Akanksha Bondre, was unable to produce purchase records, invoices or documents authorising the sale of medicines. Investigators further alleged that medicines were being supplied to patients through bills issued in the name of 116 Remedies, Nashik, despite the clinic not holding a licence to sell pharmaceutical products.
The findings prima facie indicate violations of Section 18 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, which prohibits the sale and distribution of drugs without proper authorisation.
FDA officials collected four samples for laboratory analysis and seized the entire stock. Further legal action will be initiated based on the investigation findings and test reports.
Nutraceutical Products Under Scrutiny
During the same inspection, officials also seized nutraceutical products worth Rs 1.42 lakh for alleged violations of provisions under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The confiscated stock comprised 536 strips and 22 plastic jars of nutraceutical products, which are now being examined for regulatory compliance.
Prohibited Food Items Worth Rs 1.31 Lakh Confiscated
As part of the wider enforcement drive, food safety officers conducted inspections at several establishments across the district and seized 161 kilograms of prohibited food products valued at Rs 1.31 lakh.
While officials did not immediately disclose the nature of the banned products, they said the action was aimed at removing unsafe and prohibited items from the consumer market.
Focus on Consumer Safety
The total value of food products seized during the operations stood at Rs 58.42 lakh, while the addition of unauthorised medicines pushed the overall value of confiscated goods beyond Rs 65 lakh.
The raids were conducted under the guidance of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, Joint Commissioner (Drugs) Milind Kaleshwarkar, Joint Commissioner Krishna Jaipurkar, Assistant Commissioner (Intelligence Bureau) Yaduraj Dahatonde and senior officials from the food and drug enforcement wings.
FDA officials said strict action against manufacturers, distributors, clinics and vendors violating food safety and drug regulations will continue. Citizens have also been urged to report cases of food adulteration, misbranding, illegal medicine sales and prohibited food products through the department’s grievance redressal mechanism to help safeguard public health and consumer interests.
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