Delhi Crime Branch busts ₹4.3 crore counterfeit food racket, expired imported goods being sold nationwide

December 23, 2025

New Delhi: The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted a major racket involving the illegal sale of expired imported food. Adulterated and expired food products worth approximately ₹4.3 crore were seized in this operation, which were being sold nationwide with fake labels and altered expiration dates. This racket had become a serious threat to public health.

Expired food being passed off as fresh

According to the police, the seized items include baby food, biscuits, chocolates, snacks, sauces, energy drinks, and other beverages. These products were being sold through retail stores, shopping malls, and e-commerce platforms by altering their expiration dates and claiming they were fresh. During the operation, over 43,000 kilograms of food and over 14,600 liters of beverages were seized.

Mastermind and Fake Packaging Unit Exposed

The alleged kingpin of this racket is Atal Jaiswal (54), who, through Mumbai-based wholesale agents, procured near-expiry or expired food items from the UK, the US, Dubai, and other countries at extremely low prices. Instead of destroying these products as per regulations, the accused would repack these products by changing their manufacturing and expiry dates and affixing fake barcodes. Printing machines, sealing equipment, and date-changing equipment were also recovered from the scene.

Seven accused arrested, case registered

Acting on intelligence, the Crime Branch’s Cyber ​​Cell raided the Pahadi Dheeraj and Faizganj areas of Sadar Bazaar and arrested seven people, including the main accused. Officials from the Delhi government’s Food Safety Department took samples on the spot and initiated legal action.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. DCP Harsh Indora stated that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the illegal trade of adulterated and expired food items.