World · India Bureau
Surat Shopkeeper Arrested For Selling Veterinary Supplement As Child Tonic
A medical shop owner in Surat was arrested after allegedly repackaging animal feed supplement into smaller bottles and selling it as a health tonic for children. The fraudulent operation was detected during a regulatory inspection.
LSN India ·
Authorities in Surat have arrested a medical shop proprietor accused of illegally repackaging veterinary supplements and marketing them as tonics for children. The accused obtained large canisters of Himalaya Liv.52 Protec Liquid Veterinary Feed Supplement, a product designed exclusively for animal consumption, and transferred the contents into smaller 60 millilitre and 100 millilitre bottles for retail sale.
The scheme came to light during a routine inspection of the medical shop. Investigators found that the veterinary supplement, which carries different safety standards and formulations than products intended for human consumption, was being sold to unsuspecting customers as a nutritional supplement suitable for children. The repackaging operation allowed the accused to obscure the product's true nature and origin.
This case highlights concerns over product safety and consumer protection in retail pharmaceutical channels. Veterinary supplements are not approved for human use and may contain ingredients, dosages, or contaminants unsuitable for children or adults. The incident underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in medical retail establishments across the region.
Authorities have initiated further investigations to determine the scale of distribution and identify customers who may have purchased the misrepresented product. Officials have advised consumers to verify product authenticity and purchase medications only from licensed retailers who maintain proper documentation and adhere to regulatory standards.