FDA seizes 3,196 kg of sweets and namkeen in Pune division before Diwali, suspends 8 licences

Just ahead of Diwali, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken major action in Pune division. On Tuesday, in a single day, more than 3,196 kg of suspected substandard sweets, namkeen and other food items were seized from 15 establishments. The seized goods are valued at Rs 16.93 lakh.

The department destroyed 1,440.5 kg of the seized stock, valued at Rs 4.35 lakh. Licences of eight establishments have been suspended. Three food establishments were also ordered to stop operating.

The action was carried out on November 3 in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur. It was taken under the "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign started by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. Sweet shops, dairies, bakeries and dry fruit traders were targeted because demand for sweets and festive namkeen rises during Diwali. Officials cited suspected substandard quality, preparation in unclean conditions, improper storage and handling, wrong labelling and violation of food safety rules.

In Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, the FDA seized 605 kg of sweets from Shri Ganesh Laduwale in Shikrapur. It is alleged that goods were being made there in filthy conditions without the required licence. At Rajmilan Sweets in Manchar, 250 kg of sweet mawa was seized over concerns about quality and safety. From Bikaner Mithaiwale in Mohammadwadi, 268 kg of barfi was seized and destroyed because its storage and handling were not proper.

The department also acted against Karachi Sweet Mart in Camp, Bhail Sweets in Pimple Saudagar, Chamunda Maa Rabriwala in Mulshi and several other establishments. At Purnima Sweets in Wanowrie, 58 kg of kalakand was seized and a closure notice was issued because the required licence or registration was not found. Janata Sweets in Keshavnagar received a similar notice because it was running without a valid FSSAI licence or registration.

In Sangli, 749 kg of almonds valued at Rs 8.98 lakh were seized from Ashish Traders at Vasantdada Market Yard. The almonds are suspected to be of substandard quality and were also wrongly labelled. Action was also taken against food establishments in Solapur and Kolhapur, where sweets, cashew nuts and other food items were seized.

The FDA has appealed to food businesses to obtain valid licences and registration, maintain cleanliness, store and handle food properly, and follow labelling and food safety rules.