SOG seizes 16,000 litres of adulterated Kesar mango pulp in Gir Somnath

In a crackdown ahead of the wedding season, the Gir Somnath District Special Operations Group (SOG) seized around 16,000 litres of adulterated and stale Kesar mango pulp (aam ras)  from a processing unit in Hadmatiya Gir village of Talala taluka in Gujarat, officials said.

Acting on a tip-off that suspicious stock was stored at a food processing unit, the team conducted a raid at Ruchil Agro Food Product, owned by Pravin Bhanderi. 

The inspection team found a large quantity of Kesar mango pulp that was prepared two years ago and allegedly unfit for consumption. It was stored in the plant and godown.

Officials said the stale pulp was reportedly being kept for sale in the upcoming wedding season, raising serious concerns about public health.

The SOG team, along with food safety officials, seized the stock of mango pulp and sealed the godown and the processing unit after finding it potentially hazardous for consumers.

Samples of the seized pulp have been sent to the Central Food Safety department for laboratory analysis.

Police said further investigation is under way to determine whether the pulp was being mixed with fresh stock or supplied to markets.

The operation was led by SOG In-charge Police Inspector D M Kagda along with PSI R H Suva and other officials.