Maharashtra FDA Intensifies Crackdown Under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe; 104 Seizures In 3 Months, ₹11.41 Crore Stock Seized

Mumbai, September 15, 2026 - Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on illegal medicines and cosmetics, seizing 104 operations in just three months, according to a source. This is a significant increase from the 419 operations conducted in the previous five financial years, which saw the FDA seize stock worth Rs 30.84 crore and register 175 FIRs, arresting 241 people.

The latest surge in enforcement under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has also led to the discovery of potentially hazardous products. These include Pakistan-made skin-whitening creams with excessive mercury and lead, as well as spurious and substandard medicines. The FDA has seized 20 face creams without mandatory documents and import papers during its operations.

The agency is also flagging medicine products such as Diabeties-ALL, which was found to be spurious, and Edengrel 75 mg, which failed the dissolution test. Violations during inspections ranged from unauthorized manufacture and sale of medicines to deficiencies in quality-control procedures and production records. Some establishments were found selling medicines without pharmacist supervision, proper bills, or prescriptions, while others improperly handled expired medicines and stored temperature-sensitive products improperly.

The three-month action under Mundhe's leadership has resulted in 20 FIRs and 21 arrests, marking a sharp escalation in enforcement efforts by the FDA.