Batashas Made with Banned Colors in Jharia, Food Items Seized; Factory Sealed

Dhanbad: Just ahead of Diwali, a team led by Food Safety Officer Dr. Raja Kumar conducted a surprise raid on Dinesh Gupta's factory located on Fatehpur Road in the Jharia police station area. 210 kg of colored batashas prepared with banned colors and 150 kg of adulterated vermicelli were recovered. A total of 360 kg of food items was seized, and the factory was sealed. Information had been received that an illegal sweets manufacturing factory was operating without permission in Fatehpur Gali. During the investigation following the raid, it was revealed that banned colors were used in the food products. The factory was found operating without a license. It is suspected that the batashas prepared with banned colors were planned to be sold in the market during Diwali. The food items prepared in the factory were supplied to various markets and shops across the Dhanbad district. Authorities are tracking which shops received the batashas and vermicelli prepared here. Samples of the seized food items will be sent to Ranchi for testing. Following the laboratory report, action will be taken against the factory operator in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act.