FDA seizes Rs 18.95 crore of edible oil across Maharashtra, suspends 80 licences

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration has seized 28,753 quintals of edible oil worth Rs 18.95 crore and suspended 80 food business licences, after a statewide campaign against sub-standard cooking oil. The department described the figures in a press note issued on Friday.

The campaign ran from April 1 to October 29, 2026. Officials went to manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, wholesalers and retailers of edible oil. In all, 1,089 inspections were carried out and 1,660 samples were sent for laboratory analysis.

Not all test results are in. Of the reports that have come back, 462 samples passed the prescribed standards, while 40 were declared substandard, 18 unsafe and five misbranded. Results for 1,171 samples are still awaited. The FDA said traders whose samples are finally found substandard, unsafe or misbranded can expect further legal action, including prosecution or adjudication.

Pune division accounted for by far the largest share of the seized stock, at 19,551.83 quintals. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar followed with 5,736.27 quintals worth Rs 8.34 crore. The other divisions together held about 3,466 quintals. Konkan division, which covers Navi Mumbai and the surrounding area, had 2,146.06 quintals worth Rs 5.44 crore. Greater Mumbai had 506.70 quintals valued at Rs 67.13 lakh, Nashik 388.65 quintals (Rs 73.53 lakh), Nagpur 255.96 quintals (Rs 51.65 lakh) and Amravati 167.61 quintals (Rs 56.17 lakh).

Licences were suspended in all seven divisions of the department. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar topped the list with 27 suspensions and Pune had 22. Greater Mumbai recorded eight. Konkan, Nagpur and Nashik had six apiece, and Amravati had five.

In Mumbai, the eight suspended establishments include Byculla Oil Depot, Raj Oil Trading of Nagpada, Ashapura Traders of Goregaon, Deepa Wood Pressed Oil of Ghatkopar and Momai Oil and Grain Depot of Malad. A Kurla firm is also on the list; one account spells its name Ankit Oils and another Anktt Oils. Ajanta Oil Trading Co. of Kandivali appears twice, as two separate units.

Among the Konkan division's suspended units are Advait Cold Pressed Oil at Kamothe, Node Agro at Turbhe and Gram Guru at Shilphata. Avenue Supermarts has two units in Bhiwandi that were also hit. The list further covers establishments in Panvel, Kalyan-Shilphata and other parts of the state.

The FDA gave several grounds for acting against the firms. Some were selling oil in reused tins or in containers with no label. Others were suspected of dealing in adulterated or substandard oil, or were found making and storing oil in unhygienic conditions. Some had neither an in-house laboratory nor technical staff, and some broke the labelling rules. Firms whose licences are suspended cannot carry on food business under those licences. The seized stock may not be sold, moved, transferred, repacked, relabelled or disposed of without written instructions from the competent authority.

The department has told food business operators to hold valid licences or registration, to run in-house laboratories, and to keep complete records of purchase, production and sales. It has cautioned them against repacking oil in used tins or unlabelled containers, and asked them to follow the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its rules.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, "Strict action will be taken against any operator found making, storing or selling adulterated, substandard or unsafe edible oil."

For consumers, the FDA advises buying oil only from licensed or registered sellers, and only in the manufacturer's original, sealed and properly labelled packs. Loose oil, and oil sold in unlabelled or reused tins, should be avoided. Buyers should read the label for the manufacturer's name and address, FSSAI licence number, batch or lot number, manufacturing and packing dates, best-before or expiry date and net weight. The pack should be intact, without leakage, tampering or damage.

People should not use oil that has an odd colour, smell or appearance, or that has visible dirt in it. The department also advises against heating again and again the oil that has already been used for frying. Anyone who suspects adulteration, substandard oil or sale without permission can call the toll-free helpline 1800-222-365 or use the department's complaint portal.