MUMBAI: In a crackdown on health supplements containing ingredients rejected by the country’s food safety regulator, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized nutraceutical products worth Rs 1.39 crore from 17 establishments across the state.A major seizure was made at a warehouse in Bhiwandi in Thane district, where stock worth Rs 47.65 lakh was confiscated, one of the highest values seized at a single establishment during the drive.The statewide operation, conducted simultaneously on November 13, targeted manufacturers, marketers, distributors and sellers of health supplements and foods for special dietary use.FDA officials found products containing two ingredients, magnesium acetyl taurate and nicotinamide mononucleotide, whose product approval applications had been rejected by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).The Bhiwandi seizure was made at Kanchan Pharma Pvt Ltd’s warehouse at Bhumi World Industrial Park, Pimplas. The company also figured in the crackdown at other locations, including Pune and Nagpur.Across the state, stock worth Rs 1.3 crore was seized from 17 establishments.Four products were identified in the FDA action: Rejuvance, Altibrain-S, Magladense and EQOQ.The formulations contained one or both of the ingredients flagged by FSSAI, along with other substances, said the FDA press release.According to the FDA, the action followed FSSAI directions issued on June 3, concerning the product approval applications for the two ingredients.Officials said manufacturers had made the products without obtaining the necessary approval, while marketers had sold them without including the relevant food category in their licences.The nutraceutical crackdown was part of a wider statewide food safety drive under the FDA’s ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign.The FDA also acted against seven establishments and vehicles involved in the storage and sale of prohibited products such as gutka and scented pan masala, seizing stock and a vehicle.In Mumbai, the FDA seized prohibited food articles worth Rs 31,149 from six pan shops in Dahisar, Dharavi, Goregaon and Antop Hill.
