{
  "id": 17075483,
  "title": "Diwali 2026: Maharashtra FDA Seizes Spices Worth ₹19.69 Crore, Issues 557 Notices",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/diwali-2026-maharashtra-fda-seizes-spices-worth-19-69-crore-issues",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-29T14:24:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/diwali-2026-maharashtra-fda-seizes-spices-worth-1969-crore-issues-557-notices"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ramped up its food safety crackdown ahead of the upcoming Diwali festivities. Since the start of the drive, the FDA has carried out 1,057 inspections, seizing 11,963 quintals of spices and spice-based products valued at Rs 19.69 crore. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced that the department will be taking action against food products and raw materials available in the market to ensure compliance with safety standards during the holiday season. Of the actions taken, 94 establishments had their licenses suspended, while 557 improvement notices were issued to food business operators for not meeting compliance requirements. The enforcement efforts have so far concentrated on warehouses and manufacturing units, but the FDA plans to expand inspections to retail shops and other commercial establishments selling food products. The FDA chief highlighted the potential health risks posed by expired and substandard food items, particularly noting the rise in illnesses during the festive season.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its food safety enforcement drive ahead of Diwali, conducting 1,057 inspections and seizing 11,963 quintals of spices and spice-based products worth Rs 19.69 crore across the state. FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe on Thursday said the department had initiated action against food products and raw materials available in the market…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}