Pune FDA Crackdown: 3 Food Licences Suspended, Products Worth ₹19.90 Lakh Seized - PHOTOS

On August 17-20, the Pune Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected three hotels and restaurants, seizing food products valued at ₹19.90 lakh from five establishments across Pune, Solapur, Kolhapur, and Sangli districts. This initiative was part of the 'Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra' campaign led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Munde. The FDA found significant breaches in food safety and hygiene regulations during these inspections.

Three hotels and restaurants have had their licences or registrations suspended: M/s Baba’s Kitchen in Marunji, Mulshi; M/s Ambrosios in Hinaewadi; and M/s Sapphire Foods (KFC) in Chandni Chowk, Bavdhan. At Baba’s Kitchen, FDA officials discovered violations including the use of food colours, cockroaches, and insects. Similarly, at Ambrosios, expired food products, unhygienic conditions, and cockroaches were found.

At KFC’s storage facility in Bavdhan, food products were discovered in an unauthorized area, and the cold storage on the fifth floor had a malfunctioning air-conditioning system, leading to water leakage and ice accumulation on food boxes. Food items were stored improperly on the floor and against walls, contrary to food safety regulations. Additionally, authorised inspection and employee training records were not available for the storage department.

Beyond the suspended licences and seized products, the FDA also seized 3,800 kg of rabdi and gulab jamun premix worth ₹5.23 lakh from one establishment, 62 kg of pedha worth ₹16,000 in Kolhapur, and 156 kg of expired sweet halwa worth ₹1.40 lakh in Pune. Indo Allied Protein Foods Pvt. Ltd. had 5,088 kg of khichdi masala and 4,498 kg of toasted soya grits seized, valued at ₹9.57 lakh.

In Sangli district, 322 kg and 3,528 kg of jaggery powder, totaling ₹4.30 lakh, were seized. Prohibited food products like gutkha, paan masala, and flavoured tobacco worth ₹18.36 lakh were seized from nine establishments, leading to six establishments being sealed and two vehicles worth ₹7.15 lakh confiscated.

Samples of the seized food products were sent for laboratory analysis, and further actions will be determined based on the results. The FDA conducted inspections at nine establishments in Pune, seizing gutkha, paan masala, and flavoured tobacco worth ₹18.36 lakh, registering six FIRs, sealing two establishments, and arresting twelve individuals.

Digambar Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner (Food), FDA Pune Division, emphasized that immediate action is being taken against establishments violating hygiene standards and those operating without a licence or producing substandard, adulterated, or non-compliant food.