Maharashtra FDA seizes 6,495 kg of substandard food worth Rs 24.92 lakh in statewide raids

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped up its campaign against adulterated food, food made in unclean conditions and food produced without permission. In the latest action, more than 6,495 kg of substandard food items, valued at Rs 24.92 lakh, were seized in a single day. Raids were carried out in major divisions including Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

The biggest irregularity was found at Kamthi in Nagpur, where vigilance officers raided Radha Krishna Food Products. The unit was operating without an FSSAI licence and the mandatory registration. Officers seized 1,795 kg of "Mamta Son Papdi", valued at Rs 10.60 lakh. The action was taken because the legal approvals were absent and the goods carried wrong labels, which is a serious matter.

In Mumbai, officials raided Yashoda Dairy in Mulund West and found 250.5 kg of suspected buffalo milk, paneer and milk powder stored in unclean conditions, valued at Rs 76,510. From Arihant Sweets in Kandivali, 240.5 kg of assorted sweets worth Rs 1.22 lakh were seized. From Geetanjali Catering Services, also in Kandivali, 72 kg of mohanthal worth Rs 36,000 was seized. The team also seized 296 kg of broken rice from Classic Enterprises.

In Pune, raids on Nirmal Cold Storage and SS Sales Corporation led to the seizure of 493 kg of black raisins worth Rs 2.46 lakh, citing serious violations of standards and misbranding. Also seized were 358 kg of premium almonds worth Rs 3.58 lakh. From Ricky Traders, 478 kg of chana dal was seized.

In the Konkan region, action was taken against Peshwai Amruttulya Chaha, where 631 kg of suspected jaggery powder and honey, worth Rs 1.43 lakh, was seized. From Sanjay Brothers, 1,298 kg of edible gum worth Rs 2.69 lakh was seized. During raids in Beed and Ahmedpur, suspected millet-based products made from bajra and jowar, and biscuits, were recovered.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe issued a stern warning to those running food businesses improperly. Mundhe said, "When it comes to public safety, no laxity will be tolerated. Establishments holding fake, adulterated or unlabelled goods will face strict legal action." He appealed to the public to report anything suspicious on the state's toll-free helpline, 1800-222-365.