FDA’s ban on loose masalas puts Lalbaug’s ‘by the gram’ way of doing business at risk

Mumbai's century-old Lalbaug spice market, where customers have traditionally purchased small quantities of masalas from families of shopkeepers, is facing disruption due to a Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on loose, unpackaged spice powders. While some traders back the move to curb adulteration, others worry about the financial strain and potential disruption to their time-honored businesses.

Ajit Gaikwad, president of the New Lalbaug Markets Merchants Association, supported the objective but demanded clarity on implementation. The association, comprising around 150 registered spice merchants and an estimated 100 unregistered traders, is discussing implementation concerns with local food inspectors. Traders like Naresh Rathod of H B Rathod Masala argue that packaging would increase costs for consumers, while Yusuf Kapasi, owner of Gulab Traders, contends that enforcing the ban would be practically impossible for his business.

The FDA's ban, effective from October 15, requires spices to be packed and sealed at the production site before distribution and sale, aiming to improve hygiene and prevent contamination. However, small vendors, who rely solely on this income for survival, fear the financial burden of packaging and labeling could be too much to bear.