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

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken major action against edible oil traders across the state. Manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, wholesalers and retailers were inspected in a drive that ran from April 1 to October 29, 2026. During this period, 28,753 quintals of edible oil worth Rs 18.95 crore were seized. In addition, 80 food business licences were suspended.

In a press note issued on Friday, the FDA said the department carried out inspections at 1,089 places across the state and took 1,660 oil samples for laboratory testing. Of the reports received so far, 462 samples met the prescribed standards. Forty samples were found substandard, 18 unsafe and five misbranded. Reports on 1,171 samples are still awaited. The FDA said traders whose samples turn out to be substandard, unsafe or misbranded will face further legal action, including prosecution or adjudication.

Licences were suspended in all seven divisions of the department. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had the most suspensions at 27. Pune had 22 and Greater Mumbai eight. Konkan, Nagpur and Nashik had six each, and Amravati five.

The FDA cited several reasons for the action. These include selling oil in used tins and unlabelled containers, suspicion that the oil was substandard or adulterated, the absence of an in-house laboratory or technical staff, manufacturing and storing in unhygienic conditions, and violation of labelling rules. Establishments whose licences have been suspended cannot carry on food business under those licences. The seized stock cannot be sold, moved, transferred, repacked, relabelled or disposed of without written instructions from the competent authority.

Pune division led in the quantity seized, with 19,551.83 quintals of oil. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 5,736.27 quintals worth Rs 8.34 crore were seized. In the Konkan division, 2,146.06 quintals worth Rs 5.44 crore were seized. In Greater Mumbai, 506.70 quintals worth Rs 67.13 lakh were seized. Nashik saw 388.65 quintals (Rs 73.53 lakh), Nagpur 255.96 quintals (Rs 51.65 lakh) and Amravati 167.61 quintals (Rs 56.17 lakh) of oil seized.

The eight establishments in Greater Mumbai whose licences were suspended include Anktt Oils in Kurla, Byculla Oil Depot, Raj Oil Trading in Nagpada, Ashapura Traders in Goregaon, Deepa Wood Pressed Oil in Ghatkopar and Momai Oil and Grain Depot in Malad. Two entries for Ajanta Oil Trading Co. in Kandivali are also on the list. The list also includes establishments in Bhiwandi, Panvel, Kalyan-Shilphata, Turbhe and other parts of the state.

The FDA has directed food business operators to hold valid licences or registration, run in-house laboratories, and maintain full records of purchase, production and sales. The department has warned against using used tins or unlabelled containers to repack oil. It has said strict action will be taken against those who make, store or sell adulterated, substandard or unsafe oil. Traders have been asked to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules framed under it.

The FDA has also issued advice for consumers. Oil should be bought only from licensed or registered sellers, in the company's original, sealed and properly labelled packs. People should not buy loose oil or oil sold in unlabelled or used tins. Before buying, they should check label details such as 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, with no leakage, tampering or damage.

The department has asked people not to consume oil with an unusual colour, smell or appearance, or oil in which dirt is visible. It also advised against repeatedly heating oil that has already been used once for frying. Anyone suspecting adulteration, substandard oil or sale without permission can inform the FDA on the toll-free helpline 1800-222-365 or through the department's complaint portal.