The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its food safety enforcement drive across the state by taking away banned, substandard and improperly labelled food products from several food outlets. The action covered six divisions- Brihanmumbai, Pune, Konkan, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur and officials also suspended licences, issued Stop Business Notices and registered FIRs against establishments violating food safety regulations.
In the Brihanmumbai Division, the FDA seized banned food stock valued at around Rs 2.48 lakh from one establishment. An FIR was registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, while two people were arrested in connection with the action. The crackdown was part of a wider inspection campaign targeting violations of food quality, hygiene, storage, labelling and licensing requirements.
One of the establishments examined in Mumbai was Laxmi Farsan at Patel Chowk in Ghatkopar East. According to officials at the site on September 22, pest activity was found. The establishment was also found not to follow the First In First Out (FIFO) system and had not properly segregated food and non-food products.
The FDA also found that the establishment did not have the required temperature-controlled storage facilities for temperature-sensitive food products. Cleaning processes did not meet the standards and the daily cleaning schedule was not implemented. It was also reported that internal and external audits were not done. The licence was suspended after inspection for hygiene and sanitation violations under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011.
The enforcement drive also extended to Pune Division where Stop Business Notices were issued to Hotel Utkarsh Palace in Sangli and Gulzar Place in Solapur. Both establishments were alleged to have been operating without valid FSSAI licences. The Food Safety and Standards Act says that food is manufactured, stored, distributed or sold without the required licence or registration.
Food items were also seized in Pune. Malai modak and kalakand from Laxmi Sweets in Pimpri, ghee from Agarwal Dairy in Hadapsar and large quantities of khoa and paneer from Bibwewadi and Mulshi were seized by the officials. The seizures were made due to concerns related to food standards and compliance.
In the Konkan Division, the FDA seized loose khoa, paneer and raw buffalo milk from different establishments in Raigad and Thane. In Bhiwandi, more than 4,164 kg of food products valued at approximately Rs 15.87 lakh were seized from B.J.R. Super Foods Pvt Ltd on suspicion of labelling violations and concerns regarding food quality. The goods seized included cake mix, baking powder, corn flour, instant mixes, custard powder, drink mix, baking soda, food flavours, food colours and ice cream mix powder.
Another seizure of nearly 1,988 kg of food products worth around Rs 2.18 lakh was reported from Jyoti Foods in Navi Mumbai. The officials cited violations like non-conformity to the standard, labelling and hygiene and sanitation. In Waghani Trading in Vashi, 3,600 kg of rice valued at around Rs 3.02 lakh was seized for hygiene and sanitation violations.
Nashik Division also witnessed massive enforcement. The FDA seized 5,000 kg of sweets being transported in a passenger bus from Ahmedabad to Akola. The sweets were being transported in extremely unhealthy and unsafe conditions and were not in line with food safety guidelines, officials said. The entire consignment has been seized based on concerns over the quality and health danger.
At V.H. Enterprises in Nashik, officials seized 20,300 kg of bhagar, or barnyard millet, valued at about Rs 25.37 lakh. The stock was allegedly substandard and lacked required information—name of the product in question, manufacturing date, expiry date and FSSAI registration number. It was also found to have unhealthy storage conditions, officials added.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, the FDA suspended the licence of Balaji Bikaner Sweet Mart in Kannad after finding violations related to hygiene and food safety requirements. The agency also seized 17.8 kg of spices, including chilli, turmeric and coriander powder, from Morya Kirana in Waluj. The seized stock was valued at Rs 6,160 and was taken over suspected quality concerns.
Nagpur Division saw another significant enforcement operation. Officials seized loose soan papdi and refined soybean oil from different establishments over suspected safety and quality violations. In Gadchiroli, refined soybean oil was seized after officials found old or used tins being reused and issues concerning laboratory facilities.
The FDA also suspended the licence of OAM Industries (India) Pvt Ltd after inspections found violations of hygiene and safety provisions under Schedule 4, Part 1 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011.
In addition, the Nagpur FDA conducted an inspection drive on September 21 and 22 targeting the illegal sale, storage and transportation of banned food items such as gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco. Officials searched eight establishments and found banned products in seven locations. The operation resulted in the seizure of banned food stock worth Rs 31.83 lakh and three vehicles valued at Rs 19.60 lakh. Seven FIRs were registered and seven people were arrested.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department would continue strict enforcement of food safety laws throughout the state. He said action would be taken against those involved in selling or storing expired, tampered or otherwise non-compliant food products. The latest inspections underscore the department’s focus on licensing, hygiene, storage conditions, labelling and the overall safety of food products being sold to consumers across Maharashtra.
