Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized spices and spice products worth ₹13.60 crore during an extensive statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali 2026 between October 23 and October 29. The enforcement drive covered manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and traders dealing in spices all over the state.
During the seven-day operation FDA officials inspected 472 establishments, took 783 samples, issued improvement notices to 249 establishments and suspended food business licences of 72 establishments for violations of food safety requirements.
The action was taken to prevent adulterated, substandard and unsafe spices from reaching consumers during the festive season when demand for food ingredients increases manifold.
FDA Seizes 9,610 Quintals of Spices
The Maharashtra FDA said they seized 9,610.25 quintals of spices and spice products during the special enforcement drive. The seized stock was worth ₹13.60 crore.
The highest seizure value during the operation was in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division about ₹6.43 crore, followed by Pune with about ₹4 crore and Konkan division with about ₹3.19 crore.
The scale of the latest operation is huge because seizures made in this short period were nearly 69% of total value of spice stocks seized across Maharashtra since April 1, 2026.
The department said the action affected businesses that manufacture, store, distribute and sell spices and related products.
72 Food Business Licences Suspended
Apart from confiscating stock, FDA suspended 72 food business licences during the special drive.
Officials also served 249 improvement notices on establishments which violated prescribed food safety requirements.
Some of the common violations found during inspections were:
Some common violations discovered during inspections are listed below:
- Poor hygiene and unhygienic manufacturing or storage conditions.
- Poor technical supervision and lack of personnel.
- Failure to keep records showing source of raw materials.
- Incomplete purchase and sale transaction records.
- Packaging and labelling violations.
- No manufacturing, packaging or expiry information.
- Unauthorised colouring agents and potentially harmful additives were used.
The FDA has required food businesses to keep documentation and make sure that their products comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Total Seizures Reach ₹19.70 Crore Since April
The latest crackdown is part of a statewide food safety enforcement campaign.
During April 1 to October 29, 2026 Maharashtra FDA inspected 1,057 establishments dealing with spices and spice products. During this period the department seized about 11,963.87 quintals of stock worth ₹19.70 crore.
The department also collected 1,616 samples; issued 557 improvement notices and suspended 84 food business licences.
So far laboratory results received were that 337 samples complied with the standards, nine substandard ones were found, six unsafe ones and 18 misbranded ones. Analysis reports for another 1053 samples remained awaited.
Laboratory results pending might trigger further regulatory action if they turn out to be positive.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Records Highest Seizure Value
The division wise figures for April 1 to October 29 show that enforcement activity varied significantly across Maharashtra (see Figure 4).
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had the highest seizure value (₹6.43 crore), Pune around ₹4 crore and Konkan around ₹3.19 crore.
Nashik seized about ₹2.83 crore; Nagpur about ₹2.06 crore; Amravati about ₹84 lakh; Brihanmumbai division about ₹35 lakh.
The figures show the scale of the FDA’s inspection and enforcement activities in all seven divisions of the state.
FDA Commissioner Warns Spice Businesses
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned businesses dealing in spices to follow food safety rules and keep transparent records of their operations.
Manufacturers, distributors and traders have to keep records of raw material sourcing, purchases and sales. Products must be sold in properly packaged and labelled forms as well.
The department has said action will be taken against businesses found manufacturing, storing or selling adulterated, substandard or unsafe spices.
The enforcement action follows a compliance order issued by the FDA on October 15 laying out requirements for businesses selling spices and spice products.
Consumers Advised to Avoid Loose and Unlabelled Spices
Ahead of Diwali, the FDA has also cautioned consumers to be careful when buying spices and other food ingredients.
Loose and unlabelled spices have been discouraged as manufacturing details, ingredients, storage conditions and expiry information may not be available.
The department says check the following details before purchasing packaged spices:
* What’s in it (the list of ingredients)
* How much is in it (the amount per unit)
* Whether the amount per unit is suitable for use with your machine or not
Manufacturer's name and product details.
Batch or lot number.
- Manufacturing and packing dates.
- Best-before or expiry information.
- Proper packaging and labelling.
- Details of the seller or food business operator.
Consumers should buy spices from licensed or registered sellers and avoid products with damaged packaging or unclear labels.
People who suspect a food product is adulterated, substandard or unsafe can contact the Maharashtra FDA on its toll-free number 1800-222-365 or through its official grievance portal.
FDA to Continue Food Safety Inspections Ahead of Diwali
The enforcement activities of the department will also continue during the festive season and it would also look at retail shops and shops selling food products directly to consumers.
Other food categories which are monitored by FDA apart from spices are edible oils, milk products, khoya (unsweetened dairy product), sweets and festive snacks.
The wider goal is to find unsafe products before they reach consumers and ensure food businesses follow prescribed hygiene, packaging and quality standards.
As people shop for festive food products the Maharashtra FDA has appealed to businesses and consumers to be alert and focus on food safety during Diwali.
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