Ghaziabad: A joint team of police and food safety and drug administration has raided a farmhouse in Behta Hajipur and found a unit where small-sized, low-grade black pepper was allegedly being processed with maida and edible gum to make it appear larger, heavier and of better quality.About 3,000 kg of maida, 900 kg of gum, 1,200 kg of small-sized black pepper and 975 kg of processed black pepper with larger, shiny grains were seized. Thirty-seven tins of refined soybean oil, each weighing 15 kg, were found. The food safety officials said the oil was allegedly being used to increase the shine of the pepper kernels. The total value of the seized material has been estimated at around Rs 13.34 lakh.The raid was conducted at Kehar Farm House, Sevadham, on Friday. The unit was allegedly operated by Lokesh Gupta, a resident of Budh Vihar in Delhi.According to officials, the smaller peppercorns were allegedly processed by applying a mixture containing maida and gum. The material helped increase the apparent size and weight of the peppercorns and filled the natural grooves on their surface. Once processed, the grains were allegedly coated with refined soybean oil to make them glossier.The food safety team collected five samples from the premises and sent them for fast-track laboratory testing. The reports are expected to establish the composition of the raw materials and finished product and determine whether prohibited or undeclared substances were used in their preparation.Chief food safety officer Ashutosh Rai said they also suspect that papaya seeds may have been mixed with the adulterated pepper, but it can only be confirmed after a laboratory test.Officials are also examining the possible distribution network of the allegedly adulterated product. According to the department, the stock may have been intended for supply to markets in Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr and Delhi. The investigation will establish whether any finished product had already been supplied to traders or retailers.The seizure included a substantial quantity of both raw materials and finished black pepper, indicating that the premises were allegedly being used for processing as well as storage. Officials are examining the role of the people involved in procuring the raw pepper, preparing the coating mixture and processing the finished product.Food safety officials have advised consumers to be cautious when buying loose spices, particularly products without proper packaging or labelling. Genuine black pepper generally has a naturally wrinkled surface, while unusually smooth, oversized or excessively shiny pepper may warrant closer scrutiny.
