FDA raids six shops in Nanded, seizes 675 kg of adulterated food
Maharashtra's FDA seized 675 kg of adulterated sweets, khava and edible oil from six Nanded shops in a festive-season crackdown.
Demand for sweets, khava, pedhas and milk products rises sharply during the festive season. To prevent adulteration from exploiting this demand, the Food and Drug Administration has launched an inspection drive in Nanded district under the "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign.
During the drive, raids on six shops led to the seizure of a total of 675 kg of food items, estimated to be worth Rs 2,89,080. Fifty-four samples of various food items have been sent to a laboratory for testing.
A team from the Food and Drug Administration's Nanded office inspected sweet shops, milk and dairy product outlets, and other food sellers across the district. Stocks of ghee, khava, kunda pedha, sweet pedha, mawa pedha and edible oil were seized from six shops.
A separate inspection was carried out at 28 shops in the district, including sweet marts, milk and dairy product sellers, and other food outlets. In this inspection, 26 samples of khava, paneer, pedha, barfi and edible oil were taken. Further legal action will follow once the lab reports are received.
Details of how much stock was seized from where have also come to light. Shivkripa Doodh Bhandar, Degloor Naka, Nanded, had 88 kg of ghee and 49 kg of khava seized. Shrisai Khava Centre on Malegaon Road had 99 kg of khava seized, and Khandelwal Mithai in MIDC had 99 kg of khava seized. Badamrao Pedhewale in Palaj, Bhokar taluka, had 38 kg of kunda pedha and 78 kg of sweet pedha seized. Kashiram Dachawar in Kundalwadi, Biloli taluka, had 146 litres of refined soybean oil seized, while Jagdamba Bikaner in Yai Bazar, Mahur taluka, had 78 kg of mawa pedha seized.
The assistant commissioner has appealed to consumers to stay alert. He said people should buy food items only from licensed shopkeepers during the festive season. While buying packaged goods, customers should check the information on the packaging, the expiry date and other necessary details. Consumers should also personally verify whether sweets and milk products have been stored properly. The assistant commissioner said that if anyone notices adulteration or the sale of unsafe food items, they should contact the Food and Drug Administration's Nanded office. Complaints can also be filed on the FOSCOS online portal or at complaints.ma-hafda.in.
