Harmful mirchi tadka: 802kg fake spices found in Old Delhi masala hub

NEW DELHI: Police have seized 802 kg of counterfeit spices and condiments in Khari Baoli, the historic Old Delhi masala hub.

Police got a tip-off on Saturday about an illegal spice manufacturing unit operating from the ground floor of a house in the Naya Bans area of Khari Baoli. "Adulterated spices, artificial colours and raw materials used for preparing the fake spices were found on the premises," DCP (crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

Police seized grinding machinery and a huge quantity of raw, non-edible adulterants, besides fake red chilli, turmeric and yellow chilli powders that were heavily mixed with coarse rice, pulverised chilli stalks, coriander stems and hazardous industrial dyes that mimicked the vibrant hues of the spices.

Police are probing how much of the fake spices has already reached the plates of unsuspecting consumers.

Acting on the tip-off, a raid was carried out on the Khari Baoli house, where police found a grinding and manufacturing setup allegedly for producing adulterated spices.

One person, identified as Kalamjeet (31), was arrested. He allegedly told police during questioning that he has prepared and supplied adulterated spices such as turmeric, red chilli, yellow chilli, coriander, amchoor and garam masala powders by mixing harmful adulterants. The fake spices were distributed across Delhi-NCR. Kamaljeet is a resident of Guru Nanak Dev Colony in Mukundpur.

Police said officials of the department of food safety, GNCTD, also collected samples for laboratory testing and for legal action under the food safety laws.

A case has been registered under sections 274 (adulteration of food for sale), 275 (sale of noxious food), 318 (cheating) and 3(5) (common intention) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).