Gujarat firm found manufacturing, repackaging cosmetics without licence; Rs 2.68 lakh stock seized

Ahmedabad, Aug 28 (IANS) Gujarat’s Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has seized cosmetics and related material worth more than Rs 2.68 lakh from a firm in Ahmedabad’s Tragad area after finding that products were allegedly being manufactured and repackaged without the required licence and quality testing.

Acting on confidential information, an FDCA team carried out surprise checking at ‘Aanki Herbal’ on August 25.

According to the department, the firm was manufacturing cosmetics and repackaging products from bulk packs without obtaining the necessary licence or conducting quality tests.

Officials seized stocks including fairness cream, dark-circle cream, shampoo, hair oil, body wash, face wash, scrub, solid perfume and glycerine-based soap.

Raw material, packing material and printed labels were also seized, taking the total value of the material to more than Rs 2.68 lakh.

The department’s investigation found that bulk material used in the activity was allegedly purchased from ‘Ravi Marketing’ in Odhav area of Ahmedabad.

“Cosmetics were repackaged and glycerine soap manufactured illegally at a flat in Shivanta Regal,” the department said.

The investigation has been extended to Ravi Marketing. FDCA officials also collected samples of 10 different cosmetic products from the premises and sent them to a laboratory for analysis to assess their quality.

The action comes as the state Food and Drug Regulatory Administration steps up enforcement against unauthorised cosmetic manufacturing and repackaging.

The department said further legal action would be taken against activities found to compromise public health and safety.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said: “The government would maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards such activities and continue strict legal action against those found violating regulations.”

Separately, the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch and FDCA have busted an interstate syndicate allegedly involved in manufacturing, procuring and distributing counterfeit blood-pressure medicines, with three people arrested from Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

The investigation began after a pharmaceutical company based in Ankleshwar alerted the FDCA about counterfeit versions of Nicardia Retard 10, a nifedipine sustained-release medicine used for high blood pressure, being sold in the market.

Investigators traced suspected counterfeit stock to medical stores and agencies in Gujarat and identified links to suppliers in Lucknow and Jaipur.

Thirty strips of the suspected counterfeit medicine were recovered from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad, while further stock was recovered from Navkar Medical Agency and Mahadev Medical Agency in Bhuj, according to the investigation.

The Kutch supply was allegedly linked to AVR Medicos in Jaipur. The three arrested accused were identified as Dashil Sanghavi, 39, of Ahmedabad, and Devendra Yadav, 39, and Umang Rastogi, 34, both from Lucknow.

A case has been registered with the Crime Branch as the investigation continuing.

Pansheriya congratulated the Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner and personnel of the Crime Branch and FDCA for the operation.

–IANS

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