Maha FDA warns eateries near schools
Mumbai: Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has warned that strict action will be taken against eateries operating in close proximity to schools. According to Mundhe, the FDA has intensified enforcement with a major impact expected within the next 8-10 days. He revealed that the FDA held a video conference with senior officials from the Education Department and local administrations, issuing fresh instructions to tackle the violations in a mission mode.
The authorities have identified key areas that require immediate attention, and both the Education Department and FDA have reviewed the situation, Mundhe stated.
Mundhe explained that inspections are ongoing at various locations across Maharashtra, targeting establishments serving Chinese cuisine, vada pav, and other street food. He emphasized that while cleanliness has improved, there is still a long way to go and work continues. Mundhe appealed to citizens to report unhygienic food establishments if they come across them.
He also addressed allegations from a pharmaceutical company claiming arbitrary action from the FDA, clarifying that the department's actions are under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1945, and that the company's product was seized and a recall ordered as per the rules. The Commissioner assured that they will take further action based on the order received from FDA Gujarat.
The FDA Commissioner's remarks come amid a surge in food-safety inspections across Maharashtra, which include restaurants, hotels, roadside eateries, and online food delivery platforms, leading to license suspensions and improvement notices for various violations.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
