Raids conducted at Itwari’s Raj Oil Stores and Jethanand Company; spurious oil sold under ‘Milan’ brand
Nagpur: With the onset of the festive season, the sale of edible oils sees a sharp rise during Diwali, prompting some traders to exploit the demand by selling adulterated and recycled oil under the guise of branded products. To prevent such substandard products from reaching consumers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its market raids across the region.
After conducting operations on Monday, the FDA vigilance teams continued their crackdown on Tuesday at Itwari in Nagpur and Gondia, seizing adulterated oil worth several lakhs.
According to sources, the department raided Raj Oil Stores in Itwari and seized around 400 tins of edible oil, suspected to be adulterated and repacked under the ‘Milan’ brand name. The shop owner was allegedly refilling old tins and selling them as fresh stock, while offering the products at lower rates to attract customers. Preliminary inspection also revealed possible tampering with FSSAI logos and fake quality control seals to mislead buyers. The seized stock is estimated to be worth ₹8 lakh.
On Monday, the vigilance team had raided Jethanand Company at Nehru Putla in Itwari, where they confiscated 800 tins (15 litres each) of substandard oil. The establishment has reportedly been raided multiple times earlier by the FDA and even sealed, yet continues to resume operations after every action.
Similarly, another raid was carried out at Shiv Oil in Gondia, resulting in the seizure of adulterated oil worth ₹3.45 lakh. The firm was allegedly involved in selling recycled edible oil mixed with cheaper substitutes, compromising public health standards.
The FDA vigilance wing has been particularly active in recent days, collecting samples from different markets and food suppliers to check for adulteration. These pre-Diwali raids have reportedly created a sense of fear among local traders, many of whom are now under strict watch for selling substandard or repackaged food products.
