KANPUR: The Food Safety and Drug Administration Department on Tuesday raided Pitambara Enterprises, a spice manufacturing unit in Ispat Nagar, Panki, Kanpur, and seized stock worth Rs 5,86,200 after finding that turmeric powder was being made by mixing turmeric-like colour into ground rice.Assistant Commissioner (Food) II Sanjay Pratap Singh said a raid was conducted at the unit and the team found turmeric being manufactured on the premises. He said the investigation found that rice was being ground and turmeric-like colours were being mixed into it, and turmeric powder was being prepared from it.The department said it collected six samples from the spot and sent them for testing. The samples included turmeric powder, liquid colour used to be mixed in turmeric, rice pieces, chilli powder, colours used to be mixed in chilli, and coriander powder. These samples are being sent to the food analyst for testing.Chilli powder, coriander powder, rice pieces, raspberry red colour to be mixed in chilli, and other materials were also found stored on the premises.The department prohibited the unit’s operations and suspended its licence.The laboratory report will make it clear whether the spices being prepared conform to food safety standards or not, and what kind of adulteration has been done in them. The Assistant Commissioner (Food) II said that materials found during the investigation also indicated that the quality of the raw materials and colours used in the manufacture of the spices will also be tested in the laboratory.During the raid, food safety officers seized 77 bags of rice pieces valued at Rs 1.54 lakh and 42 bags of turmeric powder valued at Rs 4.20 lakh. It also took into custody 30 kg of ground coriander valued at Rs 3,600, 30 kg of chilli powder valued at Rs 6,000, and 20 kg of turmeric adulterant valued at Rs 2,600. The Assistant Commissioner (Food) II said the total value of the seized stock was Rs 5,86,200.The raiding team included Food Safety Officers Sanjay Verma, Umashankar Singh and Rajnish Rai.
