Assam: 'Inedible' substance found inside soft drink distributed among SHG members in Bongaigaon, probe underway

A disturbing incident has surfaced from Dhakanabari in Boitamari under Assam's Bongaigaon district, where an inedible substance was reportedly discovered inside a sealed Mazaa juice bottle priced at Rs 10. The bottle was brought by a member of a local self-help group (SHG) during an official meeting.

According to sources, CRP (Community Resource Person) Mahmuda Khatun had purchased the beverage as part of refreshments for members attending the SHG meeting. However, she refrained from consuming the drink at the venue and carried it home instead.

In a shocking turn of events, the inedible item was discovered only after Khatun poured the drink into glasses for her children. “We were attending a meeting of our self-help group. During the meeting, the members were provided soft drinks. I didn’t drink it then and brought the bottle home. Soon after pouring it out for my kids, they pulled something out from their mouth and asked what it was. I was shocked to see it but couldn’t identify what exactly it was,” Khatun told local media outlets.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and quality control in packaged beverages, especially those distributed in rural and semi-urban areas. While no formal complaint has yet been lodged with the Food Safety Department, calls are growing for an immediate investigation into the matter.