Jaipur: Continuing its statewide anti-adulteration and food safety enforcement drive, the Food Safety Department Rajasthan conducted a major inspection and sampling operation at a pharma biological manufacturing unit located in RIICO Industrial Area, Chitroli, Bagru, where multiple violations related to labeling, quality standards, laboratory testing, and misleading health claims were detected.
The action was carried out under the directions of Bhajan Lal Sharma and the supervision of Gajendra Singh Khimsar as part of Rajasthan’s intensified campaign against adulteration and unsafe food products.
Serious Labeling and Regulatory Violations Found
According to Food Safety Commissioner Dr. T. Shubhamangala, the inspection team found several irregularities in the labeling and regulatory compliance of food supplements and nutraceutical products manufactured at the facility.
Officials discovered that certain products displayed a registration number instead of the mandatory FSSAI licence number, which constitutes a direct violation of food safety regulations. In several cases, the labels of marketed food supplements did not mention the food licence number of the marketing firm at all.
Authorities stated that these omissions violate provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Mandatory Laboratory Testing Not Conducted
Additional Commissioner Bhagwat Singh revealed that the manufacturer had failed to conduct mandatory laboratory testing of products within the prescribed timelines.
Under existing norms, food supplement manufacturers are required to get their products tested every six months from laboratories authorised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). However, officials found that no such periodic testing had been carried out.
The inspection also revealed procedural irregularities in the import and usage of certain raw materials.
Imported Ingredients Procured Improperly
Investigators found that ingredients such as Vitamin B and Sucralose sourced from China had allegedly not been procured through authorised food import channels as required under the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017.
Officials noted that imported food ingredients must be purchased through approved food importers following prescribed regulatory procedures, but the unit had reportedly failed to comply fully with these requirements.
Job Work Manufacturing for Multiple Firms
Authorities further revealed that the Bagru-based unit, operating under the name “Pharma Biological,” was engaged in job work manufacturing for multiple marketing companies.
Among the products found with labeling violations were:
- Multivitamin B-Complex Syrup
- Melatonin Tablets
- Eye Fist Tablets
In these products, marketing firms had reportedly mentioned only registration numbers instead of valid FSSAI licence numbers.
Similarly, products such as:
- Glucose Plus Vitamin B & D2
- Renadist Food Supplement
- Prebiotic Capsules
were found without proper food licence details of the marketing entities.
Misleading Health Claims Under Scanner
The department also collected samples of several products suspected of making misleading or exaggerated therapeutic claims.
A sample of food supplement “LiverDetox Auric” was seized because it allegedly claimed “liver detoxification” benefits, which officials stated may fall under misleading advertisement provisions.
Another sample, “Plate-M Syrup,” came under scrutiny for claims relating to:
- Anaemia
- Weakness
- Blood platelet deficiency
Authorities indicated that such therapeutic claims on food supplements could amount to consumer misbranding and misleading promotion under food safety laws.
Samples of “Glucose Plus Vitamin D” and black salt sold under the “Shri Shyam” brand were also collected for laboratory analysis.
Expired Products Destroyed on the Spot
During the raid, approximately:
- 1,050 kilograms of expired iodised salt, and
- Three one-litre packs of lychee flavouring substances
were destroyed on-site by the inspection team.
Officials said the destruction was carried out immediately to prevent the possibility of expired materials entering the consumer market.
Legal Action Initiated
A total of four samples were officially drawn under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 for detailed laboratory examination.
The department has issued a corrective notice to the concerned unit under Section 32 of the Act, directing the company to rectify the identified violations.
Further regulatory action will be initiated after receipt of laboratory reports.
Rajasthan Intensifies Anti-Adulteration Campaign
The latest action reflects Rajasthan’s ongoing aggressive enforcement campaign against adulteration, substandard food products, and misleading nutraceutical claims.
Officials indicated that inspections of food supplement manufacturers, nutraceutical firms, and pharma-linked food businesses will continue across the state to ensure consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
