Mumbai [India], October 27: Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food products and other prohibited goods worth approximately ₹12.74 crore during a statewide inspection drive conducted ahead of Diwali. The campaign, carried out during the Navratri period under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, targeted suspected adulteration, substandard products, expired food and violations of food safety regulations.
The action covered all seven FDA divisions across the state, including Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati. Officials inspected food establishments, warehouses, cold storage facilities and manufacturing units as demand for sweets, snacks and other festive products increased.
Thousands of Kilograms of Food Products Seized
According to the FDA’s reported figures, officials seized or destroyed approximately 3,74,762 kilograms of food products and 28,297 litres of stock valued at around ₹9.11 crore. The items included products suspected of being substandard, potentially adulterated or incorrectly labelled.
In a separate action, officials seized 8,392 kilograms of expired, spoiled or rejected food stock worth approximately ₹48.09 lakh in Thane and Pune districts. Authorities are investigating concerns that food intended for disposal may have been diverted back into the market instead of being destroyed.
The department is examining the supply chain involving warehouses, disposal contractors, intermediaries and retailers to establish whether the rejected products were handled in accordance with food safety requirements.
Cold Storage Facilities Under Scrutiny
The FDA also seized approximately 1,97,480 kilograms of food stock worth ₹4.19 crore from two cold storage facilities in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division. The seized products reportedly included chilli powder, raisins, jaggery and pasteurised butter.
The licences of both cold storage facilities were suspended as part of the action. Officials are continuing to examine storage practices and compliance with food safety regulations.
68 Licences Suspended, Seven Establishments Ordered to Close
The statewide drive resulted in the suspension of licences or registrations of 68 establishments. Seven establishments were ordered to close, while penalties totalling ₹1.30 lakh were recovered from four establishments for violations.
Inspections reportedly uncovered unhygienic kitchens, pest infestations, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, unauthorised food colouring and missing medical certificates for food-handling staff.
The findings highlight continuing concerns over hygiene and compliance at some food businesses, particularly during periods when demand for sweets, snacks and other food products rises sharply.
Action Against Illegal Gutkha and Tobacco Products
The FDA also intensified enforcement against prohibited gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco products. The statewide operation reportedly resulted in the seizure of goods and vehicles worth approximately ₹3.15 crore in connection with these products.
Authorities registered 22 cases and arrested 20 people in cases involving prohibited products. The action forms part of the department’s wider effort to prevent the illegal sale and distribution of banned goods.
FDA to Continue Inspections During the Festive Season
The FDA has indicated that inspections of food establishments, manufacturing units, warehouses and cold storage facilities will continue during the festive period. The department has also warned food businesses against selling unsafe products or returning rejected food to the market.
Consumers are advised to check packaging, manufacturing and expiry dates, product labels and the condition of food before purchasing items for Diwali. Anyone suspecting adulteration or unsafe food practices can report the matter to the Maharashtra FDA through its official complaint channels.
The statewide operation underscores the importance of food safety enforcement during the festive season, when increased consumption makes proper storage, hygiene and quality control particularly important.
