FDA suspends 105 food licences, orders seven units shut in Maharashtra Diwali inspection drive

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Tukaram Mundhe, has suspended 105 food business licences in a statewide Diwali food safety drive. Seven establishments were also ordered to shut. The FDA gave the details in a statement issued on Friday.

In inspections on November 4 and 5, food stock worth Rs 1.35 crore was seized from more than 69 establishments. The exact figure is Rs 1,35,70,098. Separately, banned items such as gutkha worth Rs 7,96,265 were seized. Three FIRs were registered during the drive, two people were arrested and two vehicles were seized.

Manufacturers, storage facilities, retailers, sweet shops, dairies, farsan units, hotels, restaurants and caterers were inspected. The department said the aim of the drive was to ensure consumers get safe, quality food during the festive season.

Of the 105 suspended licences, the largest number, 39, are in the Nashik division. Greater Mumbai follows with 28, Pune with 20 and Amravati with 15. Two licences were suspended in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division and one in Thane. Of the seven establishments ordered shut, three are in Pune, two in Amravati, one in Greater Mumbai and one in the Konkan division.

The inspections found unclean production and storage areas, dirty or blackened walls and ceilings, food kept directly on the floor, and incorrect packaging. Other lapses included windows without protective mesh, and the absence of pest control, a temperature recording system, a food safety management plan, a drinking water test report and medical fitness certificates for food handlers. At some places there were no records of FoSTaC training. The FDA clarified that establishments whose licences have been suspended cannot operate on those licences.

Those ordered shut include Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Borivali West, where a violation of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011 was found. In the Konkan division, Aaradhana Dryfruit Sweets in Bhiwandi was shut for manufacturing without a valid licence, and 1,780 kg of cashew nuts, kaju katli, kunda and barfi was seized there. In the Amravati division, Jay Gajanan Farsan in Washim was found operating without registration, and Laxmi Bikaner in Amravati without a licence and in unclean conditions. Both units were told to shut, and 27 kg of peda was destroyed at Laxmi Bikaner.

In Pune, Shree Ganesh Ladduwale in Shikrapur, Pournima Sweets in Wanwadi and Sirvi Sweets in Bibwewadi were ordered shut. The FDA said the action followed suspected substandard or unsafe food and hygiene-related violations.

About 39,485 kg of food items were seized across the state, including mawa, khoya, paneer, peda, barfi, laddu, rasgulla, soan papdi, sev, gathiya, chivda, besan, atta, ghee, vanaspati ghee and edible oil. The highest-value seizure was in the Pune division: about 14,429 kg, stock worth Rs 49.36 lakh. In the Konkan, 6,712 kg (Rs 32.52 lakh) was seized, and in Nashik 10,493 kg (Rs 28.35 lakh). In Greater Mumbai, 2,396 kg of food worth Rs 13.87 lakh was taken into custody, including 42 kg of mawa from Tahoora Sweets and Bakery in Nagpada and 1,452 kg of sweets from Jetharam Chuniram Puniya in Malad. Perishable items posing a danger to public health were destroyed on the spot in the presence of panch witnesses.

Action was also taken against the manufacture, storage, transport and sale of gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco. Goods worth Rs 7.96 lakh were seized from three places. Two establishments were sealed and two vehicles worth a total of Rs 4.70 lakh were seized. In the Konkan, goods worth Rs 6.80 lakh were seized and one FIR registered. In Pune, goods worth Rs 86,447 were seized, with one FIR and one arrest. In Greater Mumbai, goods worth Rs 29,268 were seized, with one FIR and one arrest.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department's priority is to ensure citizens get safe, quality food during Diwali. He warned that action would follow for breaking the rules, whatever the size or brand of the business. He said the aim is not to harass traders but to promote food safety and compliance. Those who compromise public health will face strict action, including suspension or cancellation of licences.

Under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, selling unsafe food can attract imprisonment and a fine; if a violation causes death, the fine is at least Rs 10 lakh. Under Section 63, running a business without a licence can bring up to six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Under Section 32, a licence can be suspended or cancelled. Citizens with complaints about food quality can call the toll-free number 1800222365 or use the complaints portal complaints.mahafda.in.