Popularly known as kesar, the condiment, known for being very expensive, is sold at a whopping Rs40,000 per kg in the international market.
Ahead of the festive season, when this precious commodity is sure to witness an upsurge in demand, the Madhupura police arrested a trader with 9.722 kg fake saffron in the city. Popularly known as kesar, the condiment, known for being very expensive, is sold at a whopping Rs40,000 per kg in the international market.
While the quantity may not be staggering, the revelation is significant considering the product's cost. The police have sent a sample of the fake saffron to the forensic science laboratory in Gandhinagar for further investigation.
According to the Madhupura police, Sohanlal Veerchand Jain, a resident of Shatrunjay apartments in Sabarmati, was caught with 9.722 kg saffron on Wednesday night. The police raided his shop, Thakar Vas, in Madhupura's old market. Sources said that the 'saffron' was packed in plastic bags and was to be supplied to local merchants as well as those in other cities.
"Saffron is one of the most precious spices in the world. It is also called the 'golden spice'. The price of original saffron comes to nearly Rs40,000 per kg, which adds to its exclusivity. We have heard that there is a scarcity of original saffron in the local market and hence, many traders sell fake saffron in the city," said a source.
According to Manoj Salot, a saffron trader in the city, the original spice, usually imported from Kashmir and the Middle East, is indeed scarce in the local market. That's the reason why there is a good chance of fake saffron being sold in its place.
"Saffron is used in sweets, ice creams and ayurvedic medicines, among others. There are chances fake saffron is being used in all these products, since the original is highly expensive. People are even not aware of how to distinguish between authentic and fake saffron, which makes them all the more vulnerable to consuming the wrong thing," Salot said.
Other traders dealing in saffron said that the turbulence in the Kashmir valley over the last many years has taken a toll on the production of the commodity. There is no balance between demand and supply, which is why the market is full of fake saffron.
SP Kulkarni, chief medical officer with the AMC, says that consuming fake saffron can prove a major health hazard. "If artificial colours or flavours have been used in making the fake saffron, it may cause health complications. It may lead to intestinal problems, among others."
Madhupura's senior police inspector DG Gohil, however, said that this is the first time that such a seizure has taken place in the area. He also said that investigations are on and that after the FSL report comes, the modus operandi used in making the fake saffron will also be revealed.
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