For six years, a network of traders imported tens of thousands of kilograms of expired food products from the UK, US, and Dubai, repackaged them, and sold them as fresh imports to high-end stores and e-commerce platforms across India. The racket came to light in December 2025 when Delhi Police’s Crime Branch seized 43,762 kg of food items worth nearly ₹4.3 crore during raids in central Delhi.
Among the seized goods were over 6,000 kg of biscuits, candies, and wafers, including Oreo, Ritz, Pringles, and Kellogg’s. Police said the accused bought expired or near-expiry products abroad at throwaway prices, smuggled them into India through Mumbai-based wholesalers, and then “re-manufactured” them to erase evidence of expiry. The repackaged goods were sold to premium grocery chains like Modern Bazaar and Nature’s Basket, as well as online platforms, with fake manufacturing dates and fresh labels.
The Crime Branch’s Cyber Cell began investigating after receiving tip-offs about a network flooding Delhi’s wholesale markets with expired imports. Raids were conducted in Pahari Dheeraj and Faiz Ganj areas of Sadar Bazar, a major wholesale hub in Delhi. Officials from the Delhi government’s Food Safety department were called in to collect samples and seal the consignments.
According to DCP Crime Branch Aditya Gautam, the accused sourced expired products from the UK, US, and Dubai and imported them into India via Mumbai. Once in Delhi, the goods were stored, relabelled, and distributed. The seizure included 14,665 litres of beverages, 23,050 kg of sauces, vinegars, and condiments, alongside the biscuits and confectionery. Some of the items were baby food, raising serious public health concerns.
Police arrested seven persons in connection with the racket. The accused have been charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Investigators said the group operated for at least six years without detection, leveraging gaps in import checks and the high demand for “imported” brands in urban India.
The racket highlights a growing problem with expired and counterfeit imported foods in India. In a similar case in 2024, the Delhi High Court directed the Crime Branch to investigate the repackaging and sale of expired Hershey’s chocolates after the company filed a suit against a Delhi trader. Justice Pratibha M Singh noted that large quantities of expired goods were being purchased by unscrupulous traders, relabelled, and reintroduced into the market, often through e-commerce platforms.
Experts warn that consuming expired food can lead to food poisoning, allergic reactions, and long-term health issues. The inclusion of baby food and infant formula in the seizure has heightened concern. Food safety officials said samples from the raid have been sent for lab testing, and further arrests are likely as the investigation expands to Mumbai-based suppliers.
The Delhi Police said the accused exploited consumer trust in imported brands. “People assume that products in premium stores and on e-commerce sites are safe because they are imported. But many of these items had already expired or become unfit for consumption by the time they reached India,” a senior officer said….See MoreÂ
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