The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized goods worth Rs 12.74 crore during a statewide festive-season crackdown, including prohibited gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth Rs 24.61 lakh in Mumbai and expired, spoiled or rejected food stock worth Rs 48.09 lakh in Thane district. The statewide drive led to the suspension of 68 licences or registrations, 22 FIRs and 20 arrests in cases involving prohibited products.
Seven establishments were ordered to close, while penalties totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were recovered from four establishments.
The drive covered all seven FDA divisions in Maharashtra — Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati — under the guidance of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. Inspections focused on food quality, suspected adulteration, incorrect labelling, insanitary conditions and violations of food safety regulations.
FDA’s festive crackdown: Key figures
The FDA reported total seizures worth Rs 12.74 crore during the drive. These included 3,74,762 kg and 28,297 litres of substandard, potentially adulterated or incorrectly labelled food stock, estimated at Rs 9.11 crore. Officials also seized 8,392 kg of expired, spoiled or rejected food worth Rs 48.09 lakh, while 1,97,480 kg of stock worth Rs 4.19 crore was seized from two cold storages.
Prohibited gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth approximately Rs 3.15 crore was seized along with vehicles. The department registered 22 FIRs and arrested 20 accused in cases involving these prohibited products. Across the state, 68 establishments had their licences or registrations suspended, seven were ordered to close, and penalties totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were recovered from four establishments.
Food meant for destruction allegedly returned to market
In Thane and Pune districts, the FDA conducted special inspections following suspicions that expired, spoiled or rejected food earmarked for disposal was being brought back into the market instead of being destroyed.
The inspections uncovered 8,392 kg of such food stock, with an estimated value of Rs 48.09 lakh.
Officials investigated the possible supply chain involving company warehouses, disposal contractors, unauthorised disposal centres, intermediaries, suppliers and retailers. According to the FDA, the companies inspected failed to provide a complete and verifiable trail establishing that the food stock intended for disposal had actually been destroyed.
Five licences were suspended in connection with these cases, and criminal complaints were filed in the matters concerned. Investigations into the allegations and the suspected supply chain are ongoing.
The FDA stressed the need for a transparent and verifiable disposal mechanism to ensure that food declared unfit for sale does not re-enter the supply chain and reach consumers.
Rs 4.19 crore worth of stock seized from two cold storages
In the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, officials seized approximately 1,97,480 kg of stock valued at Rs 4.19 crore from two cold storages in a single day. The seized goods included chilli powder, raisins, jaggery and pasteurised butter. The licences of both cold storages were suspended.
Separately, across Maharashtra, officials seized or destroyed approximately 3,74,762 kg and 28,297 litres of substandard, potentially adulterated or incorrectly labelled food stock, estimated to be worth Rs 9.11 crore.
The products included edible oils, spices, milk products, sweets, farsan, tea, dry fruits and other food articles.
Statewide action against prohibited gutkha and tobacco
The FDA seized prohibited gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth approximately Rs 3.15 crore, along with vehicles, during enforcement operations across Maharashtra. A total of 22 FIRs were registered and 20 accused were arrested in these cases.
At Manor in Palghar district, officials seized prohibited stock from an Eicher truck on October 9. The FDA’s press note lists the value of the seizure at Rs 1.51 crore and states that an FIR was registered at Manor police station, with eight accused mentioned.
In Jalna district, an Eicher vehicle was intercepted near Chitali Putali Phata on October 18 with police assistance. The seizure was valued at Rs 83.35 lakh.
In Mumbai, officials seized prohibited products worth Rs 24.61 lakh between October 13 and 21, registering four offences. In the Malad case, the department sought an investigation under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
In the Nashik division, a seizure worth Rs 19.40 lakh was recorded on October 11, resulting in one FIR and one arrest. At Umarga in Dharashiv district, officials seized goods worth Rs 16.07 lakh from an Innova car on October 16, with two arrests reported.
The press note gives the value of the Palghar–Manor seizure as Rs 1.51 crore in its case-wise details, while the accompanying narrative describes the seizure at Manor as approximately Rs 1.30 crore. The discrepancy requires clarification from the department.
68 licences suspended over hygiene and safety violations
Inspections across the state revealed several lapses, including unclean kitchens and drainage systems, cockroach and rat infestations, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food stored together, the use of unauthorised food colours and the absence of mandatory medical certificates for staff handling food.
The FDA suspended the licences or registrations of 68 establishments for insanitary conditions and violations of food safety regulations. Seven establishments were also directed to shut down their businesses.
In addition, penalties totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were recovered from four establishments under Section 69.
‘There will be no compromise on food safety’
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department would take strict action against food business operators found violating safety regulations, particularly during the festive season when demand for food products rises.
“There will be no compromise with food safety. Food earmarked for disposal being brought back into the market is an extremely serious matter. Every food business operator must discharge the responsibility of making safe food, conforming to the prescribed standards, available to consumers.
“During the festive season, the demand for food articles rises. Inspection of cold storages, warehouses, manufacturing units and food establishments will therefore continue. Strict action will be taken as per law against those who gamble with the health of citizens and those who violate the regulations,” Mundhe said.
How to report food safety violations
The FDA has urged citizens to report suspected food adulteration, unsafe food products and other violations.
Consumers can contact the department through its toll-free helpline on 1800 22 2365 or lodge complaints online at complaints.mahafda.in.
The department has appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious food products to help prevent unsafe items from reaching the market.
