On Monday, 15 December 2025, food safety officials in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, executed a major crackdown on a warehouse in the Rajghat police station area, seizing 750 sacks of adulterated roasted chickpeas.
The consignment, weighing approximately 30,000 kilograms, was allegedly treated with toxic synthetic dyes used for colouring textiles and paper. Authorities acted on secret intelligence that trucks carrying these hazardous snacks had arrived from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for local distribution.
Preliminary tests confirmed the presence of non-edible artificial colours designed to give old stock an unnaturally bright yellow appearance. This seizure has sparked a statewide investigation by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) to dismantle the interstate network prioritising illegal profits over public health.
Gorakhpur Roasted Chana Raids
Roasted chickpeas are a beloved, protein-rich snack in Indian households, but the Gorakhpur raid has exposed how unscrupulous traders turn this staple into a health hazard.
Officials found that the chickpeas were coated in industrial-grade yellow dyes, which are strictly prohibited by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for human consumption. By applying these dyes, wholesalers can make dull or low-quality grains look fresh and vibrant to attract unsuspecting buyers.
The warehouse served as a primary distribution hub, intended to pump these contaminated snacks into local markets. This discovery highlights a dangerous trend where visual appeal is artificially enhanced using chemicals meant for clothes, bypassing critical safety protocols at state borders.
Severe Health Warnings
The health implications of ingesting textile dyes are catastrophic, primarily targeting the body’s filtration systems.
Assistant Commissioner of Food Sudhir Singh issued a grave warning, stating that the synthetic yellow dye used is a known carcinogen that can cause permanent damage to the liver and kidneys. “We have banned the sale of the seized stock immediately and sent samples for forensic analysis,” Singh told the media.
Consumption of such additives can lead to chronic toxicity, especially in children and vulnerable groups. The FSDA has initiated proceedings to cancel the trade licences of the involved parties and is framing criminal charges under the Food Safety and Standards Act, which can result in heavy fines and imprisonment for endangering public lives.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the right to safe food is a non-negotiable human right. The fact that industrial clothing dyes are being used in a common snack like chana reveals a chilling disregard for human life in the pursuit of profit.
While the swift action by Gorakhpur officials is commendable, it exposes the urgent need for more frequent and rigorous market surveillance across the country. We advocate for a system of zero tolerance where those found guilty of food adulteration face the strictest possible legal consequences.
