FDA seizes 6,495 kg of food worth Rs 24.92 lakh across Maharashtra ahead of Diwali

Ahead of Diwali, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out an inspection drive across the state on Wednesday. A total of 6,495 kg of food items, valued at Rs 24.92 lakh, were seized.

Twelve establishments were raided in the five divisions of Nagpur, Pune, Konkan, Mumbai and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The action was taken on suspicion of violations relating to food quality, label information and storage.

The largest seizure was in the Nagpur division. Officials took 1,795 kg of soan papdi, valued at about Rs 10.60 lakh, from a food business in Kamthi. The business is said to have been operating without the required licence or registration. Deficiencies were also found in the declarations on the product label. The FDA said further action is under way against the establishment over licence and labelling compliance.

In the Mumbai division, 250.50 kg of milk powder, buffalo milk and paneer worth Rs 76,510 were seized from Yashoda Dairy. From Classic Enterprises, 296 kg of broken rice worth Rs 35,520 was taken. From Gitanjali Catering Services, 72 kg of mohanthal worth Rs 36,000 was seized, and from Arihant Sweets, 240.50 kg of mixed sweets worth Rs 1.22 lakh. Excess colouring is suspected in these sweets, and further action is under way.

In the Pune division, 478 kg of roasted gram dal (futane dal) worth Rs 53,775 was seized from Ricky Traders. From SS Sales Corporation, 358 kg of almonds worth Rs 3.58 lakh was taken, and from Nirmal Cold Storage, 493 kg of black raisins worth Rs 2.46 lakh. The labels on these stocks are suspected to be faulty and the goods are suspected of not meeting the prescribed quality standards. The FDA said it has begun further action.

In the Konkan division, 631 kg of jaggery powder, jaggery and honey worth Rs 1.43 lakh was seized from Peshwai Amrutatulya Tea. From Sanjay Brothers, 1,298 kg of edible gum worth Rs 2.69 lakh was taken. The action was based on doubts about the quality and standards of the food items.

In the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, 388 kg of products made from coarse grains, worth Rs 62,080, were seized from Mangalmurti Trading Company in Beed. From Reddy's Agency in Ahmedpur, 195 kg of milk biscuits worth Rs 27,840 was taken. These products are suspected to be of poor quality or wrongly labelled.

Almonds, raisins, edible gum, dairy products, sweets and other food items were also seized in the drive.

The FDA has directed food business operators to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the rules made under it. Keeping storage clean and meeting licence, registration and labelling requirements are mandatory. The department warned that strict action will be taken against those selling substandard, adulterated or wrongly labelled food.

The FDA has appealed to consumers to buy food only from licensed or registered shops and to check the label, batch number, packing date and "best before" date before purchase. Substandard, expired or unsafe food can be reported on the toll-free helpline 1800-222-365 or on the Food and Drug Grievance portal. The department said inspections and legal action will continue to protect public health.