Fake Expiry Dates Found on Maggi, Lay’s, Kurkure

A major food-labeling controversy has emerged from Navi Mumbai after authorities discovered packaged food products carrying allegedly altered manufacturing and expiry details at a warehouse. The seized stock included popular names such as Maggi, Lay’s, Kurkure, Thums Up, Limca, Knorr and Hellmann’s, with officials saying many products were expired or close to expiry.

The discovery has raised serious concerns about how food products are handled before entering international markets. It has also brought attention to the importance of accurate expiry information, proper nutrition labels and accountability throughout the food export supply chain.

The investigation was conducted by Maharashtra food safety authorities with police involvement, and the warehouse reportedly contained thousands of cartons of packaged food. Officials also found equipment and chemicals that were allegedly being used to remove original information and replace it with new details.

Navi Mumbai Warehouse Under Investigation

The operation came to light at a warehouse operated by Sadhana Enterprises in Navi Mumbai’s industrial area. The facility is located roughly 25 kilometres from Mumbai’s international airport, making its location particularly relevant because the products stored there were reportedly being prepared for export.

Authorities found nearly 5,000 cartons spread across four rooms inside the premises. The stock included products manufactured by several major food and beverage companies, although the investigation has not accused those companies themselves of participating in the alleged wrongdoing.

The seized products reportedly included Lay’s potato chips and Kurkure from PepsiCo, Maggi Masala Noodles from Nestlé, Knorr Mushroom Soup and Hellmann’s Mayonnaise from Unilever, along with Thums Up and Limca from Coca-Cola.

The sheer quantity of products found has made the case more significant than an isolated labeling violation. Officials are now examining how the operation functioned and which exporters may have been connected to the warehouse.

Original Expiry Dates Were Removed

The most serious discovery involved the alleged removal of original manufacturing and expiry dates from packaged products.

According to investigators, chemicals were found at the facility that could be used to erase printed information from food packaging. After the original dates were removed, replacement information was allegedly printed onto the packets and cans using specialised equipment.

The process reportedly involved entering new manufacturing and expiry information into a computer before workers used printing machinery to apply the replacement details. Police documents indicated that some original information had been scratched or chemically removed before the new dates were added.

This creates a major food safety concern because an expiry date provides consumers and regulators with essential information about how long a packaged product is expected to remain suitable for consumption.

If an old product is given a new date, the printed information can no longer accurately represent its actual production history.

Maggi and Kurkure Labels Also Altered

The investigation reportedly uncovered more than changed expiry dates. Officials and investigators also found nutrition labels that appeared to have been modified for overseas markets.

Several cartons of Maggi noodles were reportedly present at the warehouse, including a sample where a replacement nutrition label had been placed over the original packaging. The replacement information described the product as being from India for export purposes.

A Kurkure packet also reportedly carried a bilingual English-French nutrition label. Investigators found that certain nutritional details had been changed, including the declared cereal quantity, calorie information and serving size.

The changes allegedly appeared designed to make the products fit requirements in foreign markets. This is significant because food labels are not simply marketing material. They provide consumers with information about ingredients, nutritional content, serving sizes and other important product details.

Changing such information can therefore create problems beyond ordinary packaging fraud. It can potentially mislead consumers and create compliance issues in countries where the products are eventually sold.

Some Products Were Near Expiry

Authorities said most of the products discovered at the warehouse were either already expired or approaching their expiry dates.

That detail is particularly important because the alleged operation appears to have focused on products whose commercial shelf life was becoming limited. Instead of allowing such products to reach the end of their approved shelf life, investigators believe some packages were being given replacement dates.

Officials also found examples where manufacturing dates appeared to have been changed to dates that had not yet arrived.

One reported example involved products carrying a manufacturing date of October 2, 2026. Since the raid and investigation occurred before that date, the finding raised further questions about how the replacement dates were being generated and why future dates were being used.

Products Were Reportedly Meant For Export

Another important aspect of the case is that the stock was reportedly intended for international markets.

Authorities have not publicly identified the final destination countries for the products. However, investigators found packaging prepared in formats suitable for overseas distribution.

The presence of an English-French label on at least one product suggested that some of the goods could have been prepared for a market where French-language information was required.

The warehouse operator reportedly told authorities that the work was being carried out for 19 relatively little-known exporters. Investigators are expected to examine those connections as part of the wider inquiry.

The fact that the products were reportedly intended for export adds another layer to the issue because inaccurate labeling can potentially affect consumers outside India while also damaging confidence in products originating from Indian supply chains.

What The Raid Means For Food Safety

Food packaging plays a critical role in protecting consumers. Manufacturing dates, expiry dates, ingredient lists and nutrition information allow people to make informed decisions about what they purchase and consume.

When any of these details are deliberately changed, the reliability of the entire package becomes questionable.

The Navi Mumbai case also demonstrates why food safety enforcement cannot stop at factories and retail stores. Warehouses, exporters, distributors and other intermediaries form an important part of the supply chain.

A product can leave an authorised manufacturing facility correctly labelled and still face problems later if controls become weak during storage, repackaging or export preparation.

That makes traceability increasingly important. Companies involved in food exports need systems capable of tracking products from manufacturing through warehousing and finally to the destination market.

Authorities Seek Greater Accountability

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration chief Tukaram Mundhe described the scale of the operation as shocking and indicated that the activity appeared systematic.

His comments underline a broader concern about responsibility across the food distribution network. When products from well-known brands are found inside an operation involving alleged label manipulation, investigators need to determine exactly where the products came from, who handled them and who authorised their movement.

The authorities have not accused the major food companies whose products were found at the warehouse of wrongdoing in this case. The investigation is instead focused on the alleged activities taking place at the facility and the exporters reportedly connected to it.

Why Export Food Checks Matter

India’s packaged food industry has a large domestic market and an expanding international presence. Indian snacks, noodles, beverages and other packaged products are sold across many countries.

That growth makes reliable labeling even more important.

International buyers and regulators depend on packaging information to determine whether products meet local food safety and labeling requirements. If inaccurate information enters that system, it can create regulatory problems for exporters and potentially affect the reputation of legitimate manufacturers.

For consumers, the case is also a reminder to check packaging carefully. Unusual stickers, damaged printing, unclear dates or labels that appear to have been placed over existing information can deserve closer attention.

Consumers should avoid products with suspicious packaging and report concerns through appropriate food safety channels rather than relying only on the printed information.

A Bigger Warning For Supply Chains

The Navi Mumbai investigation is not simply about a few packets carrying questionable dates. It highlights a wider challenge faced by the modern food industry.

As packaged food moves through multiple stages before reaching consumers, every stage needs proper oversight. Warehousing and export preparation can be just as important as manufacturing when it comes to maintaining product integrity.

The discovery of chemicals, printing machinery and replacement labels suggests that authorities were dealing with an organised process rather than an accidental printing mistake.

The investigation will now be important for determining how long the alleged operation had been running, how many products may have passed through it and whether any altered products reached foreign consumers.

For the food industry, the message is straightforward: accurate labeling cannot be treated as a minor administrative requirement. It is a fundamental part of consumer safety, regulatory compliance and brand trust.

Final Takeaway

The alleged fake expiry-date operation uncovered in Navi Mumbai has raised serious questions about packaged food safety, export controls and supply-chain accountability. Thousands of cartons involving products such as Maggi, Lay’s and Kurkure were reportedly found alongside equipment and materials allegedly used to change dates and nutritional information. Authorities are continuing to investigate the warehouse, its operators and the exporters connected with the stock. The case also reinforces why consumers and businesses must take food labels seriously. Accurate dates and transparent nutritional information are essential for protecting consumers and maintaining trust in India’s growing packaged-food export industry.

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