Over 91,000 Fake ENO Packets Seized In Delhi — How To Identify Fake Vs Real Antacid Powder

After fake Colgate toothpaste, a fake ENO racket has come to light. In a major crackdown, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted the fake antacid manufacturing unit in the Ibrahimpur area of North Delhi. The raid uncovered a large-scale operation producing counterfeit sachets of the over-the-counter medicine.

Two men, identified as Sandeep Jain and Jitender alias Chotu, were arrested at the site. Both are residents of Ibrahimpur and are believed to be the key operators behind the illegal setup.

During the operation, officers reportedly seized over 91,000 counterfeit ENO sachets, along with 80 kg of raw material, 13 kg of company-branded rolls, 54,780 stickers, 2,100 unfilled packets, and a packaging machine.

With such an alarming pattern of counterfeit manufacturing units producing fake pharmaceuticals and health-related products across India, how can an ordinary person know if the ENO they are buying is the real one or a fake? If you are wondering the same, worry not, we have got you covered.

According to ENO’s official site, the product is made up of Svarjiksara (Shudh) and Nimbukamlam (Shushkam), which neutralise stomach acid on contact and help relieve indigestion and gas. Chemically, it is a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and sodium carbonate.

The fake one might not be consistent with this formula, may contain cheap, substandard ingredients that could be harmful, and may not dissolve quickly or taste different. Counterfeit antacids may contain harmful chemicals or incorrect dosages, leading to stomach irritation, acid reflux, or allergic reactions.

How to tell if it's a fake ENO? To identify a fake ENO, you can either check the packaging, MRP, or inspect the quality of the product itself, including its print, company name and logo.

The real products have a clean, shiny packaging with clear branding. Counterfeits may have faint or blurred print. One can also see slight differences in the size of the original and duplicate pouches, with the latter being slightly smaller.

Always check the manufacturing details, such as the manufacturer’s name, batch number, address, and price, before buying the product. If the details appear blurry, are incomplete, or are not mentioned, then that’s a fake one.

Is there any price difference between fake ENO and the real one? While one sachet of the antacid, containing 5 gms of the product, retails at Rs 10 at medical shops, anything below it might be a warning sign.

While any side effects of a fake ENO have not been reported yet, consuming a counterfeit product can cause stomach irritation, increased acidity, and even food poisoning. Such products are manufactured without quality testing and lack medical approval.