Maharashtra FDA Seizes 39.5 Tonnes Of Food Worth ₹1.35 Crore Ahead Of Diwali, Suspends 105 Licences In Statewide Crackdown

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a major operation to curb food safety breaches ahead of Diwali celebrations. Between November 4 and 5, the agency seized approximately 39.5 tonnes of food items worth Rs 1.35 crore. This operation led to the suspension of 105 food business licenses and the closure of seven establishments across the state. The crackdown also resulted in three FIRs and the arrest of two individuals for selling banned food products.

The targeted inspections were carried out on sweet shops, restaurants, quick-commerce operators, hotels, caterers, dairy suppliers, oil traders, storage facilities, and other entities. Officials focused on food items commonly consumed during the festive season, such as mawa, khoa, paneer, pedha, barfi, kaju katli, motichoor laddus, rasgullas, soan papdi, farsan, chivda, besan, ghee, vanaspati, and various types of edible oils. Perishable goods considered hazardous to public health were destroyed on the spot.

The FDA suspended 105 licenses after finding serious hygiene and safety issues, including unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions, improper packaging, absence of pest control, inadequate temperature monitoring, and missing drinking water analysis reports. Some establishments lacked medical fitness certificates and mandatory training records for food handlers.

Seven establishments received shutdown orders, with three located in Pune, two in Amravati, and one each in the Brihanmumbai and Konkan divisions. Other businesses, including sweet manufacturers, farsan units, hotels, restaurants, caterers, home-based food businesses, and quick-commerce operators, were also impacted.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized the administration's commitment to maintaining strict vigilance on food businesses during the festive season, particularly sweet manufacturers. He stressed that the rules apply equally to all businesses, and those endangering public health would face legal consequences, including licence suspension or cancellation. Mundhe affirmed that the goal was to build a culture of food safety and regulatory compliance, with no compromise on public health.