Counterfeit Edible Oil Factory Busted in Surat, Stock Worth Rs 20.30 Lakh Seized

Surat: A racket involving the alleged production and sale of counterfeit edible oil has been busted in Kamrej taluka of Surat district. A joint team of the Gandhinagar CID Crime Branch and the Surat District Food and Drug Control Administration raided a factory operating in Navkar Industrial Estate in the Navagam GIDC area of Kamrej.

The factory was being operated under the name Shiv Trading Company in Navagam, Kamrej. According to officials, Jayesh Hirpara was involved in the packaging and sale of counterfeit groundnut oil and other edible oils from the premises.

During the investigation, officials allegedly found that the oil was being packed and sold in tins carrying stickers of well-known brands, including Sun Plus, Saurashtra Singtel and Pal Singtel.

A large quantity of suspected counterfeit and adulterated edible oil was seized during the raid. The seized stock included approximately 500 kg of groundnut oil valued at Rs 1.07 lakh, 703 kg of cottonseed oil valued at Rs 1.29 lakh, around 540 kg of sunflower oil valued at Rs 1.14 lakh, and approximately 12,000 kg of soybean oil valued at Rs 16.80 lakh.

The Food Safety Department said finished products and equipment seized from the premises were collectively valued at around Rs 20.30 lakh.

Officials have taken samples of the seized oil for further testing and analysis to determine its quality and composition. Legal proceedings have also been initiated against Jayesh Hirpara in connection with the alleged racket.

Authorities said inspections and enforcement action against such activities are likely to continue, particularly during the festive season, to prevent the sale of unsafe or counterfeit food products and protect public health.

DeshGujarat