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Expired bottles, once priced at Rs 40, were sold for Rs 8. The warehouse operated for years, supplying expired cold drinks unchecked, risking consumer health
The adulterated drinks were destined for distribution to hotels and restaurants across the city. (Representative/AP File)
Cases of food adulteration usually surge during the festive season. As people become preoccupied with shopping, they may at times neglect to scrutinise the quality of the goods they purchase. This creates an opportunity for unscrupulous vendors.
In Meerut, a gang attempted to profit by selling expired cold drinks during Diwali. However, the police intervened before they could execute their scheme.
The incident unfolded at Meerut’s Ganj Bazaar which comes under the jurisdiction of Sadar Bazar police station. The police received a tip-off about their operation at the warehouse, prompting the raid. The police recovered a substantial quantity of cold drinks and juices, all past their expiry dates.
The gang had planned to erase the original expiry dates and print new ones for those expired beverages before selling them. These adulterated drinks were destined for distribution to hotels and restaurants across the city.
While a regular bottle cost Rs 40 in the market, these expired ones were sold at a mere Rs 8. Had the contaminated drinks found their way into the market, they could have posed a serious health risk to consumers.
The raid also exposed the shortcomings of the food department’s oversight. The warehouse had been operating for several years, supplying expired cold drinks with impunity. Some of these bottles even bore manufacturing dates of 2022.
Food security officer Ravi Sharma ordered the immediate destruction of all seized items. Meerut SP (City) Ayush Vikram Singh assured that appropriate action would be taken against the perpetrators. The police have arrested the warehouse owner and have launched an investigation into the case.
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