Now salt in adulterated items list; fake unit busted in Bhubaneswar outskirts

How to verify the products which we use in daily lives are genuine or fake? Such questions have now become pertinent owing to several instances where several units were busted on charge of manufacturing adulterated food items.

The question assumes significance as another racket involving manufacturing of adulterated salt was busted in Bhubaneswar’s outskirts on Monday.

As per initial reports, adulterated salt and detergent was being prepared and sold under the name of different reputed brands. The unit was reportedly busted by Pahala police in Sibashakti Nagar.

Police have detained a person, who was present at the godown of the fake unit. “We have detained one person while the owner of the unit is absconding. We have seized over 50 quintals of fake salt and detergent and further investigation is underway,” said a senior police official.

The police official further said the raid was conducted based on allegations about manufacturing of adulterated products. It is suspected that the adulterated products were being pushed into various markets from the unit.

“Nearly 4 to 5 more persons were engaged in selling and transportation of products from here. I had objected when I learnt that the products were fake,” the staff, who has been detained by police, said.

It is pertinent to mention here that similar units engaged in manufacturing fake or adulterated food items had been busted in Cuttack in the recent past.

A fake spice manufacturing unit was busted in Jagatpur area of Cuttack and detained two people in connection with the case on January 22 this year.

The Cuttack Municipal Commissioner (CMC) and Commissionerate Police in September 2021 had destroyed several quintals of adulterated ghee worth Rs 10 lakh near Sikharpur Gurudwar. The adulterated food products were seized by the Malgodown and Chauliaganj Police following multiple raids.