71% consumers in Mumbai rarely asked for prescription, survey finds; Maharashtra FDA acted against 880 drug licensees in three months

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), headed by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has suspended the licenses of 10 establishments for breaching food safety regulations. The action comes as the state regulatory body intensifies inspections and enforcement prior to the festive season. Swiggy Instamart's dark store license in Ballard Estate, Mumbai, was ordered to be suspended immediately following an inspection that revealed a live rat in the food-handling area.

The inspector also found over 10-kg rice bags gnawed open by rodents, with grain scattered on the contaminated floor. Cockroach infestation and live flies inside food storage carts were also reported by the FDA. Dead insects, dirt, significant ice build-up were found inside refrigeration units. Several other establishments, such as M/s Sadguru Sweets and Farsan Mart, M/s Acculogicx Supply Chain Solutions Pvt Ltd (a warehouse for Amazon), M/s Suleman Usman Mithaiwala, Jain Sweet & Bhepuri House LLP, and M/s Nice Enterprises, also had their licenses suspended due to food safety violations.

The FDA seized suspected adulterated and unhygienic food products worth ₹1.36 crore across the state, including various sweets and dairy products. The latest enforcement action follows a statewide crackdown on food establishments and suppliers, where banned items and products worth several lakhs of rupees were seized.