‘Regulates food safety, not festivals’: FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe clarifies new order

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has clarified that the state's new festival food-safety directive is focused on preventing food contamination during public celebrations, not on regulating how festivals are observed. The directive applies to all festivals and gatherings, including weddings, religious observances and community events, and is intended to ensure food served at these occasions is safe and compliant with existing laws, Mundhe told the news agency PTI.

The order, which has been in place since 2011, does not introduce new restrictions on religious or cultural practices or impose a new licensing regime for Food Business Operators. Mundhe emphasized that the goal is to maintain consistent food-safety standards across all communities and events, reducing ambiguity and ensuring all involved understand their roles and responsibilities.