In a significant crackdown on food adulteration during the peak mango season, food safety officials in Mehsana district raided a local juice unit and seized over two tonnes of severely decayed and worm-infested mangoes intended for commercial juice production.
Acting on a specific tip-off, a team led by Food Safety Officer V.J. Chaudhary conducted a surprise inspection at Patidar Ras Kendra. Officials recovered 2,025 kg of rotten mangoes teeming with worms and an additional 230 kg of unfit mango pulp. The entire consignment was immediately destroyed on the spot in the presence of witnesses to prevent it from entering the market.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shared graphic video footage of the infestation on social media, showing mangoes in advanced stages of decay with visible maggots. The images have sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns about hygiene standards at small and medium-scale juice vendors across the state.
Gujarat is one of India’s major mango-producing states, with the summer months seeing a surge in demand for fresh mango juice, shakes, and pulp-based products. While most established processors maintain strict quality controls, officials say unscrupulous operators often exploit high demand by using substandard or rejected fruit to cut costs.
“Such practices not only cheat consumers but also pose serious health risks, including food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections,” said a senior FSSAI official. “We urge people to be cautious and purchase from reputed vendors who follow proper hygiene and sourcing norms.”
The FSSAI’s decision to publicly share the raid video has triggered strong reactions online, with many users calling for stricter and more frequent inspections of roadside juice stalls and small processing units.
“This is horrifying. We drink these juices thinking they’re natural and healthy,” commented one social media user.
Several citizens and food activists have demanded mandatory registration and regular audits for all juice vendors, along with stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
Food safety experts recommend that consumers look for FSSAI licensing displays and insist on seeing fruit being processed in front of them wherever possible.
The Mehsana raid is part of a broader statewide drive by Gujarat’s food safety department to monitor seasonal food items. Similar actions have been taken in previous years against adulterated milk, sweets, and fruit products.
Authorities have warned that more such operations are likely in the coming weeks as mango supply peaks. Patidar Ras Kendra faces potential legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, which includes heavy fines and possible imprisonment for those found guilty of manufacturing unsafe food.
As temperatures soar and demand for refreshing mango-based drinks rises, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, from both regulators and consumers, to ensure that the beloved summer fruit remains safe to consume.
