FDA suspends licences of 19 food businesses across Maharashtra, several in Mumbai, after festive-season drive

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences or registrations of 19 food business operators across the state for violating hygiene and food safety rules during a special inspection drive in the festive season. Several establishments in Mumbai are among them.

The FDA seized more than 3.53 lakh kg of food items worth Rs 9.01 crore from 114 establishments across the state. In exact figures, the seizure is about 3,53,307 kg, valued at Rs 9,01,22,002. According to a press note issued by the FDA on Monday, the seized goods include edible oil, spices, rice, pulses, jaggery, flour, ghee, dairy products, sweets, namkeen, dry fruits and bakery items.

The action was taken in October in all seven divisions of Maharashtra. Inspections were stepped up between October 28 and 31.

In Mumbai, the FDA found several irregularities. Old tins were being used to repack edible oil, some places had insects, food was stored in dirty conditions and cleaning arrangements were inadequate. The FDA inspected five establishments in Lalbaug, Goregaon East, Goregaon West and Kandivali West. According to the official statement, old tins for repacking oil were found at Mukesh Corporation, while food colour was found in food items at A1 Chetna Masala.

Other Mumbai establishments whose licences or registrations were suspended over serious deficiencies include Cafe Empire in Matunga East, Vishal Enterprises in Deonar, New Bikaner Sweets in Ghatkopar West, Khushboo Enterprises in Vikhroli, Cocobliss Cafe in Ghatkopar, Sagar Milk Centre in Antop Hill, Aarti Impex in Chembur, Sindhudurg Masala Manufacturing Company in Sakinaka and Shinde Masale Dadarwale in Lower Parel.

The lapses found at these places included insects, dirty premises, improper storage of food, no pest control arrangements, no medical fitness certificates for staff and incomplete sanitation records. At Cafe Empire, cooked rice was left uncovered with flies on it, food waste lay on the floor, and grease and soot had built up on the exhaust fan and chimney. At Shinde Masale Dadarwale, food items were kept directly on the floor, and a brush and a broom were lying inside the spice-grinding machine.

The largest seizure of the drive was in Bhiwandi, where 1,44,218 kg of edible oil of various brands was seized from Avenue Supermarts Limited. Another major action took place in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee, worth Rs 20.20 lakh, was seized from a distributor. The stock was seized on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration.

Between October 28 and 31, the FDA seized prohibited food items worth Rs 79.40 lakh from 17 establishments across the state. In this action, 13 FIRs were registered, 16 people were arrested, seven establishments were sealed and six vehicles were seized. The Konkan division recorded the largest seizure of prohibited items, worth Rs 43.09 lakh. In Greater Mumbai, goods worth Rs 35,699 were seized.

The department also inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas in the Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions and issued 29 improvement notices over lapses in food safety and hygiene.

The FDA has directed food business operators to sell food in properly labelled packs, keep preparation and storage areas clean, hold a valid licence or registration, and maintain complete stock records. Consumers have been advised to buy food only from licensed or registered shops and to avoid loose or unlabelled goods. Before buying, they should also check the label, batch number, packing date and 'Best Before' information. Complaints about food quality or violations can be made on the FDA's toll-free number 1800-222-365 or on its official complaint portal.

Separately, according to the FDA statement, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, the maker of Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder, and to e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart. The products' labels and advertisements are alleged to violate the rules. The statement said the FSSAI questioned claims such as 'Supports Glowing & Radiant Skin' and advertisements showing percentage changes within 12 weeks, as these were made without evidence. Objections were also raised over the description 'Pure Collagen' despite the product containing several ingredients, and over discrepancies in the flavour details. The companies must reply within 30 days of receiving the notices.