Maharashtra FDA seizes Rs 12.74 crore of goods in festival-season raids across the state

Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ran a major drive across the state during the festival season and seized goods worth a total of Rs 12.74 crore. This includes banned gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth Rs 24.61 lakh caught in Mumbai. In Thane district, expired, spoilt or rejected food worth Rs 48.09 lakh was also seized.

During the drive, 68 licences or registrations were suspended across the state. In cases involving banned goods, 22 FIRs were registered and 20 people were arrested. Seven establishments were ordered shut, while fines totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were collected from four establishments.

The action was taken under the guidance of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. Inspections were held in all seven FDA divisions: Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati. The checks looked at food quality, suspected adulteration, wrong labelling, filth and violations of food safety rules.

The FDA ran special inspections in Thane and Pune districts. The suspicion was that expired, spoilt or rejected food that was meant to be destroyed was being brought back to the market instead. These inspections found 8,392 kg of such goods, with an estimated value of Rs 48.09 lakh.

Officials examined possible links in the chain, from company warehouses, disposal contractors and unauthorised disposal centres to middlemen, suppliers and retailers. According to the FDA, the companies inspected could not produce complete, verifiable records to prove that goods meant for destruction were actually destroyed. Five licences were suspended in these cases and criminal complaints were filed. The investigation into the allegations and the possible supply chain is continuing.

In the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, about 1,97,480 kg of goods worth Rs 4.19 crore were seized from two cold storages in a single day. The goods included red chilli powder, raisins, jaggery and pasteurised butter. The licences of both cold storages were suspended.

Across the state, about 3,74,762 kg and 28,297 litres of substandard, suspected adulterated or wrongly labelled food were seized or destroyed. The estimated value is Rs 9.11 crore. The items included edible oils, spices, dairy products, sweets, namkeen, tea and dry fruits.

Banned gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth about Rs 3.15 crore was seized along with vehicles. At Manor in Palghar district, banned goods were seized from an Eicher truck on October 9. The FDA's press note puts their value at Rs 1.51 crore and says an FIR was registered at Manor police station naming eight accused. The detailed section of the same press note also gives the Manor seizure as about Rs 1.30 crore.

In Jalna district, an Eicher vehicle carrying goods worth Rs 83.35 lakh was stopped near Chitali Putli Phata on October 18 with police help. In Mumbai, banned goods worth Rs 24.61 lakh were seized between October 13 and 21 and four cases were registered. In the Malad case, the department has sought an investigation under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). In the Nashik division, goods worth Rs 19.40 lakh were seized on October 11, one FIR was registered and one arrest was made. At Umarga in Dharashiv district, goods worth Rs 16.07 lakh were seized from an Innova car on October 16 and two people were arrested.

The inspections brought many lapses to light. Kitchens and drains were found dirty, cockroaches and rats were found, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was found stored together, illegal food colours were in use, and staff handling food did not have the required medical certificates. Licences or registrations of 68 establishments were suspended for filth and rule violations, and fines totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were collected from four establishments under Section 69.

Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said strict action would be taken against food businesses that break the rules, especially during festivals when demand for food items rises. "There will be no compromise on food safety. Bringing food meant for destruction back to the market is an extremely serious matter. It is the responsibility of every food business to deliver safe food to customers according to the prescribed standards," he said.

Mundhe added, "Demand for food items rises during festivals, so inspections of cold storages, warehouses, manufacturing units and food establishments will continue. Those who play with the health of citizens and break the rules will face strict action under the law."

The FDA has appealed to people to report adulterated or unsafe food and other irregularities. Complaints can be made on the toll-free helpline 1800 22 2365 or online at complaints.mahafda.in. The department has asked people to stay alert and report suspicious items so that unsafe goods do not reach the market.