FDA seizes 9,000 kg paneer, 440 kg khoa in Pune ahead of festivals; 43 methanol firms acted against

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken strict action in Pune against food sellers who play with people's health during the festive season. The action was carried out under the leadership of Tukaram Mundhe. Inspections in different parts of the city led to the seizure of 9,000 kg of paneer, 440 kg of khoa, 77.75 kg of assorted food items and 9,888 litres of edible oil.

The inspections found improper transport and storage of food items, open-air sale, wrong labels and violations of hygiene rules.

In Bavdhan, Kasba Peth and Bibwewadi, paneer and khoa were being transported and stored at uncontrolled temperatures. These items were also being sold in the open. As a result, 9,000 kg of paneer and 440 kg of khoa were seized from there. The items are suspected to be unsafe for human consumption, and further action is under way.

An inspection was carried out at M/s 3D Masale and Dry Fruits in Market Yard. Food items totalling 77.75 kg, including tea and flavoured drink concentrate, were seized there. These items are suspected to be of substandard quality, unsafe and wrongly labelled. Violations of hygiene rules were also found at the establishment.

Separately, a stock of 9,888 litres of various edible oils was seized from Suryam Enterprises in the Chandni Chowk area on Paud Road. Further action is under way in all these cases under food safety rules.

Action has been taken against 43 companies in the Pune division in the methanol case. After 19 people died from toxic liquor, the FDA moved against companies linked to methanol. Inspection of all 102 licensed methanol-related companies in the Pune division is complete. Action was taken against 43 of them in which violations of rules were found. Of these, the licences of 28 companies were suspended and those of 15 were cancelled.

After the toxic liquor incident, a drive to inspect methanol-related companies was launched across the state. Since the Pune division has the largest number of such companies in the state, the working of these companies had been under inspection for the past four months.

Rules already exist for the storage, purchase and sale, use and handling of methanol. The FDA is therefore giving priority to proper enforcement of the existing rules and action against violators, rather than framing new rules. Suspension of a licence and cancellation of a licence are two separate administrative actions. Although the inspections are complete, the administration will keep watch on whether the companies continue to follow the rules. Regular inspections will continue to prevent the misuse of methanol, and action will continue in case of violations, said Girish Hukare, Assistant Commissioner of the FDA's Pune division.