AMC Seizes Nearly Rs 10 Lakh Worth Adulterated Turmeric, Cashew Stock in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Food Department of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has seized nearly Rs 10 lakh worth of turmeric and cashew nuts from a godown in the city’s Madhupura area after laboratory tests confirmed adulteration in turmeric samples.

The action was taken as part of AMC’s ongoing inspection and sample collection drive targeting milk and milk products, spices, bakery items, gram flour, salt and other food products across the city.

According to AMC officials, a raid was conducted on May 8 at “Avinash Masala Godown” located at 14/9 Rampura, opposite Arvind Bhuvan in Old Madhupura under the Daryapur ward of Central Zone. During the inspection, officials identified the trader present at the premises as Sudamomal Tanumal.

Officials found that the trader did not possess a valid licence issued under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). During the inspection, around 2,500 kg of turmeric worth an estimated Rs 5 lakh and nearly 1,400 kg of cashew nuts valued at about Rs 4.9 lakh were found stored at the premises.

As the stock appeared suspicious, food safety officials collected samples under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and sent them to AMC’s Public Health Laboratory for testing. The entire stock, valued at approximately Rs 9.9 lakh, was seized immediately.

AMC said the laboratory report received on May 11 revealed that the turmeric sample contained an unusually high starch content of 84.8 per cent, significantly above the normal 40-60 per cent range generally found in dry turmeric. The report also detected the presence of wheat flour and gram flour (besan) in the sample, indicating adulteration through addition of external starchy substances.

Based on the findings, officials classified the turmeric as adulterated and of substandard quality. The test report of the seized cashew nut samples is still awaited.

AMC officials said further legal action has been initiated against the trader under provisions of the FSSAI Act. DeshGujarat