In India, an illegal workshop attempting to manipulate manufacturing dates, expiration dates and nutrition labels on foods produced by global food companies such as PepsiCo, Nestlé, Coca-Cola and Unilever for export overseas was uncovered. Most of the products had passed their expiration dates or were close to expiring, and some were found to have future dates listed as the manufacturing date.
According to Reuters on the 1st (local time), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of India's Maharashtra state recently searched a warehouse in the Navi Mumbai industrial area, about 25 kilometers from Mumbai International Airport, and seized food and other items worth about $80,000 (about 110 million won).
Products found in the warehouse amounted to about 5,000 boxes. Representative items included PepsiCo's Lay's and Kurkure snacks; Nestlé's Maggi masala noodles; Unilever's Knorr mushroom soup and Hellmann's mayonnaise; and Coca-Cola's carbonated drinks Thums Up and Limca.
These products are genuine items actually produced by global food companies. But at this warehouse, work was underway to alter the dates and ingredient information shown on the products. According to Indian police investigation materials, the original manufacturing and expiration dates printed on the packaging were scraped off or erased with chemicals, then new information was reprinted. After entering fake manufacturing and expiration dates on a computer screen, separate equipment was used to stamp new dates on packaging and cans.
Some products were even found with manufacturing dates that had not yet arrived. Tukaram Munde, Director General of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration, said traces were found showing that Oct. 2 of this year had been newly printed as the manufacturing date on some items.
Some products had their nutrition labels changed. Reuters reported that among the Maggi noodle products stacked in the warehouse, it confirmed items with separate fake labels placed over the original nutrition facts. On some of PepsiCo's Kurkure products, English- and French-language nutrition labels showed 10% less grain content than the original labels, and the calories and serving size had also been changed. Reuters said the changes appeared aimed at aligning labels with overseas regulations.
The warehouse was found to be operated by local firm Sadhana Enterprise. The owner reportedly told police the work was done on behalf of 19 export companies. Indian authorities said all inventory in the warehouse was for export, but it was not confirmed which countries each shipment was intended for.
No evidence was found that global manufacturers such as PepsiCo and Nestlé were involved in the incident. According to Reuters, Indian police case records also did not identify illegal acts by these global food companies. PepsiCo, Nestlé, Unilever (Hindustan Unilever in India) and Coca-Cola did not provide separate comments in response to Reuters' inquiries.
Munde, the Director General, said, "I was shocked by the scale (of the incident)," and noted, "It appears to be an organized and systematic activity." He added that food companies also need to check whether the packaging and distribution of their products are carried out in accordance with laws and regulations, emphasizing supply chain management responsibility.