FDA seizes Rs 63.45 crore of food stock, suspends 954 licences in pre-Diwali drive across Maharashtra

Mumbai, November 5, 2026: In a special drive run across the state ahead of Diwali, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food stock worth Rs 63.45 crore. It has also suspended 954 food business licences and registrations.

According to the FDA, 9,667 food establishments were inspected between September 1 and November 3, 2026. Officials issued 4,603 improvement notices and began proceedings to cancel 25 licences and registrations. The department collected 8,835 food samples and seized 3,098.46 metric tonnes of food items.

The drive was carried out under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. It covered the entire food supply chain: production centres, storage sites, transport, retail shops, online food sellers, hotels and catering.

A separate special Diwali drive ran from October 15 to November 3. In it, the FDA inspected 3,332 establishments, served 1,501 improvement notices and suspended 326 licences and registrations. Cancellation proceedings were started against 15 establishments. A total of 3,864 food samples were taken, and 1,886.44 metric tonnes of food stock worth Rs 44.37 crore was seized.

Across the whole festive-season drive, the most inspections were in the Pune division. There, 2,540 establishments were checked, 1,107 improvement notices were issued and 229 licences and registrations were suspended. Cancellation proceedings began against five establishments. In all, 2,333 food samples were collected and 395.25 metric tonnes of food stock worth Rs 10.39 crore was seized.

In the special Diwali drive in the Pune division, 678 inspections were carried out. A total of 215 improvement notices were issued and 52 licences were suspended. Samples of 1,029 food items were taken, and 319.17 metric tonnes of food stock worth about Rs 7.53 crore was seized.

According to item-wise figures, edible oil and salt, spices and condiments made up a large share of the seized stock over the whole drive. Edible oil totalling 925.11 metric tonnes (Rs 16.31 crore) was seized, as was 895.32 metric tonnes of salt, spices and condiments (Rs 21.09 crore). Dairy products, including ghee and khoa, accounted for 171.57 metric tonnes (Rs 7.63 crore). Dry fruits totalling 156.66 metric tonnes (Rs 7.47 crore) and sweets totalling 59.78 metric tonnes (Rs 1.36 crore) were seized.

Demand for milk-based sweets rises during Diwali. The FDA said it is therefore keeping special watch on the transport of khoa and mawa arriving from other states. Inspection teams have been told to watch 19 food-related sectors. These include sweet shops, dairy products, ghee, edible oil, farsan, dry fruits, food colours, chocolates, bakeries, gift hampers, packaged food, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, quick-commerce services, hotels, caterers, street food vendors, fruit-ripening centres, packaged drinking water manufacturers and cold storages.

Food delivery platforms and quick-commerce companies have been asked to ensure that the sellers and warehouses registered with them hold a valid FSSAI licence. Food reaching consumers must have at least 30 per cent of its shelf life, or at least 45 days, remaining, as applicable under FSSAI directions, the FDA said.

Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned that strict action would be taken against establishments violating food safety rules. Under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, selling unsafe food can lead to imprisonment. Where the offence causes death, the law provides for imprisonment up to life and a fine of at least Rs 10 lakh. Running a food business without a valid licence can lead to imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh under Section 63. Under Section 32, the FDA can also suspend or cancel licences.

Mundhe said the aim of the drive is not to harass food businesses but to build a culture of food safety and compliance. He said the rules apply equally to big brands and small traders, and that those endangering public health will face strict action.

The FDA has appealed to citizens to buy sweets, khoa, ghee and other food items only from licensed or registered establishments. Before buying packaged food, people should check the FSSAI licence number, expiry date, product details and label. The department also advised against buying very cheap sweets and dry fruits, eating sweets of unnaturally bright colour, and buying loose edible oil from unknown sources.

Milk sweets should be refrigerated and eaten within a day or two. The expiry date and other mandatory label details on every item in a gift hamper should be checked. Citizens wishing to complain about food quality or malpractice can call the FDA's toll-free helpline, 1800-222-365.