Canada's food safety agency is assessing whether an Indian operation that used fake expiry dates and nutrition information on food products poses a risk to imports. According to reports from Reuters, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is monitoring the situation to determine whether it presents any risk to imports into Canada. The agency stated it has no information indicating that products associated with this operation entered Canada, though it takes food fraud seriously. The CFIA is the first foreign agency to react to the incident, highlighting the international significance of the discovery. The agency emphasized that it takes food fraud, including false date markings, inaccurate nutrition information, and misleading origin claims seriously.
Indian authorities raided a Mumbai warehouse last week, seizing products worth nearly ₹70 lakh as well as chemicals and printing machines used to replace old dates and nutritional information. As reported by Reuters, the Mumbai warehouse owners carried out activities on behalf of 19 little-known exporters, though it is not clear which countries the goods were destined for. Indian officials have said products relabelled at the warehouse were expired or nearing expiry. One packet of PepsiCo's Indian brand Kurkure puffed chips found during the raid had a fake label with nutrition information in English and French, similar to the format prescribed in Canada. The products seized included items from major multinational companies including PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever.
The products seized included items from major multinational companies including PepsiCo, Nestle, Coca-Cola and Unilever. PepsiCo and other affected companies have not commented on the matter. One packet of PepsiCo's Indian brand Kurkure puffed chips found during the raid had a fake label with nutrition information in English and French, similar to the format prescribed in Canada. Canada's food labelling rules require such information be shown in both languages. The products were relabelled to make them suitable for export, with Indian officials confirming that the relabelled items were expired or nearing expiry.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who led the operation, told Reuters that they have written to concerned authorities about their findings, who will investigate details of the exporters involved. The CFIA stated that when non-compliant foods are identified, it takes appropriate action to protect consumers, which may include product removal, licence suspension and monetary penalties. India's commerce ministry, which oversees exports, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The CFIA emphasized that it takes food fraud, including false date markings, inaccurate nutrition information, and misleading origin claims seriously.
