Special campaign by Food Safety Department in Kanpur-Lucknow, 92 samples collected during inspection of 55 units
More than 339.69 quintals of suspicious food products and adulterants seized
Over 36.15 quintals of substandard material destroyed
Licences of four units manufacturing tobacco and pan masala in the same premises suspended
Under the leadership of Additional Commissioner Rekha S. Chauhan, 41 pan masala manufacturing units inspected in Kanpur, material worth around Rs 15 crore seized
Licences of two units suspended, process underway to suspend licences of other concerned units
Lucknow/Kanpur, August 2026 : The Yogi government has once again sent out a strong message by taking strict action against those compromising food quality and playing with the health of consumers. The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA), Uttar Pradesh, conducted an extensive special campaign against pan masala manufacturing units in Kanpur Nagar and Lucknow and seized 339.69 quintals of suspicious food products and adulterants worth more than Rs 15.70 crore. During the campaign, 92 samples were collected for testing, while 36.15 quintals of spoiled and perishable material, valued at Rs 10.18 lakh, was destroyed on the spot.
Under the direction of Commissioner, Food Safety and Drug Administration, Dr. Roshan Jacob, 52 food mobile squads were deployed for the campaign. A total of 55 pan masala manufacturing units were inspected in the two districts. Of these, 19 units were found operational, while 36 units were found closed for various reasons.
The department also examined the activities of the closed units and, wherever other businesses were found to be operating under the cover of licences obtained for pan masala manufacturing, show-cause notices were issued and directions were given for cancellation of the licences.
Under the leadership and guidance of Additional Commissioner (Administration), Food Safety and Drug Administration, Uttar Pradesh, Rekha S. Chauhan, 41 pan masala manufacturing units in Kanpur Nagar were extensively inspected by 41 teams comprising officers from across the state.
Of these, 12 units were found operational and 29 non-operational. The operational units included Greenworth Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (SNK), AA Flavours International Pvt. Ltd. (Signature), Trimurti Freshener and Flavours, Raodar Petroleum, Radha Rani Fragrance, KVM Fragrance, Balaji Fragrance, DU Trading Company, Maa Vindhyavasini Tobacco Pvt. Ltd., Om and Company, Shri Krishna Fragrance and Vijay and Company. The Additional Commissioner personally inspected the entire unit of Greenworth Enterprises (SNK brand). Following serious irregularities found there, officers were directed to take stringent action. In compliance with the directions, 10 samples were collected and food material worth approximately Rs 13.5 crore was seized, while the licence of the unit was suspended and food business operations were stopped.
During the campaign, pan masala and tobacco manufacturing were found to be taking place on the same premises at Radha Rani Fragrance. The licence was therefore suspended and the premises were completely sealed, while 72 kg of areca nut worth Rs 72,000 was seized. Ten samples were collected from AA Flavours International and material worth Rs 15.16 lakh was seized; material worth around Rs 9 lakh was seized from Shri Krishna Fragrance, Rs 19.5 lakh from Om and Company and food material worth around Rs 45 lakh from Trimurti Freshener and Flavours. During the entire campaign, a total of 59 samples were collected from active units and, on the basis of irregularities including unhygienic conditions, absence of records regarding the source of raw materials, failure to mention statutory warnings on packets as required, use of lime meant for industrial purposes, and manufacturing of tobacco and pan masala on the same premises, food material and adulterants worth more than Rs 15 crore were seized from seven units. Of this, around Rs 13 crore was seized from the SNK brand unit alone, while the remaining material worth around Rs 2 crore was seized from six other units. Licences of two units have already been suspended, while the process of suspending the licences of other concerned units is underway.
Large-scale action was also taken in Lucknow during the campaign. Five samples were collected from Raj Kishore Sons 1972 Pvt. Ltd. (RK brand), and 76 kg of material was seized. The manufacture of 72 kg of tobacco was found on the premises, which was prohibited. As pan masala, areca nut and tobacco manufacturing were found to be taking place on the same premises, a recommendation was made for suspension of the licence. Seven samples were collected from Shimla The Balaji Special Flavours Pvt. Ltd. (Qaim brand), and 3,404 kg of material worth approximately Rs 38.54 lakh was seized. Four samples were collected from KVN FMCG Pvt. Ltd. (Kamla Pasand and Rajshree brands), and 2,459.4 kg of catechu powder worth approximately Rs 18.44 lakh was seized.
Ten samples were collected from Satya Narayan Kesho Ram Pvt. Ltd. (Kalash brand). Here, 148 kg of synthetic perfumery compound, tobacco and saccharin were seized. As tobacco and pan masala manufacturing were found to be taking place on the same premises, a recommendation was made for suspension of the licence. Meanwhile, nine samples were collected from Gomti Industries Pvt. Ltd., and 12,307.4 kg of food products, with an estimated value of Rs 59.38 lakh, was seized. From Shimla Gomti Pan Products Pvt. Ltd., 245 kg of pan masala was seized, valued at approximately Rs 6.89 lakh.
Harmful adulterants and chemicals were found in four units during the campaign. These included industrial lime, magnesium carbonate, gambier, liquid paraffin and areca nut coloured with prohibited colouring material. The department directed that the concerned adulterants and food products be seized or destroyed, along with action for suspension of licences.
Meanwhile, improvement notices are being issued to 10 units where deficiencies related to hygiene, sanitation arrangements and other aspects were found.
During the campaign, four units were found manufacturing tobacco and pan masala on the same premises. According to the department, this is in violation of Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, as well as the prohibition order issued by the department. The licences of such units are being suspended and their manufacturing activities are being stopped, while emergency prohibition orders are being issued under Section 34 of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
