Fake Expiry Dates Found on ₹6.7 Crore Food Products: PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever Brands Seized in Navi Mumbai

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration officials seized food products worth nearly $80,000 from a warehouse in Navi Mumbai after allegedly finding fake expiry dates and nutrition labels on packaged food products.

The six day investigation found nearly 5,000 cartons linked to PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca Cola and Unilever, according to Reuters. Officials also found chemicals and printing machines allegedly used to remove original information and add replacement labels.

What did officials find at the warehouse?

The warehouse was operated by privately owned Sadhana Enterprises in an industrial area of Navi Mumbai. Officials found products that were either expired or close to expiry.

The products included Lay's and Kurkure from PepsiCo, Maggi from Nestle, Knorr Mushroom Soup and Hellmann's Mayonnaise from Unilever, and Thums Up and Limca from Coca Cola.

According to a Maharashtra government media release and police case document cited by Reuters, the warehouse owner said the operation was being carried out for 19 little known exporters.

How were the labels allegedly changed?

According to the police document, workers entered fake manufacturing and expiry dates using a computer and stylus. Printing machines were then used to produce replacement labels.

The original manufacturing and expiry dates were allegedly scratched out or erased before new information was added.

Officials also found changes to nutrition information. Reuters reported that some products had been given a future manufacturing date of October 2, 2026, even though they were found during the August investigation.

What products were allegedly relabelled?

Reuters found Maggi cartons where a fake nutrition label had been pasted over the original packaging. One altered label described the product as "Product of India" for export.

A Kurkure packet carried an English and French nutrition label with changes to its ingredients. The modified label reduced the stated quantity of cereal products by 10% and changed the declared calories and serving size.

What does the police case say?

The police case document said changing manufacturing and expiry dates could allow potentially harmful food products to be exported for sale and could mislead consumers.

Maharashtra FDA official Mundhe told Reuters that companies need to take greater responsibility for their supply chains. He said branding, packaging and product sales must comply with regulations.

Were PepsiCo, Nestle and other companies accused?

The police case does not accuse PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca Cola or Unilever of wrongdoing, according to Reuters. Their products were found at the warehouse, but the case concerns the alleged relabelling operation.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone had been arrested. Reuters reported that calls to warehouse co owners Jayprakash Sanchatiram Singh and Jaya Navrang Bahadur Singh were not answered. The investigation remains subject to further action by authorities.

What happened in the Mumbai raid on food products?

The Mumbai raid uncovered an alleged food relabelling operation at a warehouse in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, where authorities said manufacturing and expiry dates were being removed and replaced on packaged food products.

Where did the Mumbai raid take place?

The Mumbai raid took place at Sadhana Enterprises in the Turbhe TTC Industrial Area of Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, during a joint operation by the Maharashtra FDA and Navi Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

Which food brands were found in the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid involved products linked to PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca Cola and Unilever. Reported products included Lay's, Kurkure, Maggi, Thums Up, Limca, Knorr Mushroom Soup and Hellmann's Mayonnaise.

Were PepsiCo and Nestle accused in the Mumbai raid?

No. The Mumbai raid did not result in the police case accusing PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca Cola or Unilever of wrongdoing. Their branded products were found at the warehouse where the alleged relabelling activity took place.

Were expired products found in the Mumbai raid?

Yes. The Mumbai raid found expired and close to expiry food products. Authorities alleged that some of these products were being prepared with replacement dates.

What was changed during the Mumbai raid food relabelling operation?

The Mumbai raid found alleged changes to manufacturing dates, expiry or use by dates and nutritional information. Officials also found stickers placed over original ingredient and nutrition labels.

How were expiry dates changed in the Mumbai raid?

During the Mumbai raid, officials found chemicals allegedly used to remove original printed information and machines used to print replacement labels. Workers allegedly entered new dates through a computer before printing the replacement information.

Were nutrition labels changed in the Mumbai raid?

Yes. The Mumbai raid uncovered allegedly altered nutrition labels. Reported changes included calories, serving sizes and ingredient quantities on some products.

What was the unusual date found during the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid found products carrying a reported future manufacturing date of October 2, 2026, even though those products were found during the investigation in August.

How many cartons were seized in the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid resulted in the seizure of 8,442 cartons of altered food products linked to export companies, according to Maharashtra FDA information reported by several outlets.

What was the value of goods seized in the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid led to the seizure of food products valued at about ₹75.52 lakh, including additional unlabelled and expired stock.

Who operated the warehouse in the Mumbai raid?

The warehouse in the Mumbai raid was operated by Sadhana Enterprises. Authorities said the operation was connected with exporters, while the investigation is examining the wider network.

Were the products from the Mumbai raid meant for export?

Yes. The Mumbai raid found evidence that some products were being prepared for export. Some packaging contained bilingual information and labels apparently prepared for foreign markets.

Was an FIR filed after the Mumbai raid?

Yes. An FIR was registered at Turbhe Police Station following the Mumbai raid under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Was Sadhana Enterprises' licence suspended after the Mumbai raid?

Yes. The Maharashtra FDA suspended the food business licence of Sadhana Enterprises after the Mumbai raid.

Has anyone been arrested after the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid resulted in a police case and an ongoing investigation, but reports available so far have not established that anyone has been arrested.

Could the food from the Mumbai raid have reached consumers?

The Mumbai raid found products reportedly being prepared for export, but available reports do not establish that the altered products reached consumers through retail or other channels.

Why are fake expiry dates dangerous after the Mumbai raid?

The Mumbai raid has raised food safety concerns because changing expiry information can make products appear within their shelf life when their original date has already passed.

What happens next after the Mumbai raid?

Authorities are expected to examine the seized products, exporters connected with the warehouse and the wider supply chain. Further legal action will depend on the ongoing investigation.