• Mosquitoes, spiders, webs and dead lizards found in pickle jars
  • Seizure and sealing of premises to destroy about 85,000 kg of pickles and raw material
  • Irregularities also found at Pioneer Natural Products

Jaipur, 19 October – Under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Khimsar, and directed by Principal Secretary Health Shri Gayatri Rathore, action continues under the ‘Shuddh Aahar – Adulteration War’ campaign to provide pure and safe food to the public. Following the instructions of Food Safety Commissioner Shri Avichal Chaturvedi, a central food‑safety team and the CMHO Jaipur‑II inspected Messrs Shri Shyam Foods at Muhana Market. During the inspection, about 85,000 kg of pickles and raw material stored for pickle production were seized for destruction.

Dirty pickle jars and dead lizards –

During the inspection, the firm’s basement contained roughly 100 plastic jars holding various pickles and raw material. About 5,000 kg of ready‑made pickles and around 80,000 kg of raw material such as carrots, celery, lemon and chillies were found for processing. Examination of the jars revealed mosquitoes, spiders and webs, and a few jars contained dead lizards. The premises were found extremely dirty with broken windows and nets.

Seizure of 85,000 kg of material—

The food‑safety team collected samples of sauce, mixed pickles and mango pickles for testing. In addition, about 1,700 kg of packaged pickles and sauces were also seized. Concern over possible contamination has led to the seizure of about 85,000 kg of pickles and raw material.

Premises sealed, food business halted—

Because of the risk of illegal sale or adulteration, the premises have been sealed and a pre‑emptive order placed to stop all food operations. The concerned officer, Food Safety, Jaipur‑II, has been instructed to suspend the firm’s food licence as per regulations.

Additional Food Safety Commissioner Shri Bhagwat Singh was present on site during the action.

Punitive action will be taken under the Food Safety Act—

Initially, the case is being examined under Section 3(1)(zz) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which defines unsafe food, and under Section 26 concerning the obligations of food business operators.

If laboratory tests confirm the product is unsafe, punitive action will be taken under Section 59 and other applicable provisions, which prescribe imprisonment and fines for violations.

Action also taken on Pioneer Natural Products—

In a separate raid, Messrs Pioneer Natural Products at Muhana was inspected. The firm was found making misleading health claims and using incomplete addresses on its products. Samples were taken for testing and the available stock was seized. The firm has been ordered to cease production and sale of the implicated products pending further orders. Action will be pursued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and relevant rules.

The Food Safety Department clarified that negligence in matters affecting public health will not be tolerated. Violations of standards for safe manufacturing, hygiene, proper storage, packaging and labelling will continue to attract regulatory action.

Otaram/Ravindra