FDA seizes goods worth Rs 12.74 crore, suspends 68 licences in pre-Diwali food safety drive

Ahead of Diwali and the festival season, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra ran a special statewide drive to inspect food items. Goods worth about Rs 12.74 crore were seized in the drive.

Action was taken in all seven divisions, including Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati. The inspections found violations of food safety rules, food being prepared in unclean places and the sale of banned tobacco products.

Serious lapses in cleanliness and food safety were found at many establishments. Some kitchens were dirty, some had poor drainage, and cockroaches and rats were found in places. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian items were kept together, banned food colours were in use, and employees did not have medical certificates.

Because of these lapses, the licences of 68 establishments were suspended. Seven establishments were ordered to stop operating. Fines totalling Rs 1.30 lakh were collected from four establishments.

Another case emerged in Thane and Pune districts, where food items sent for destruction are suspected to have been sold again in the market. The inspection found 8,392 kg of goods, valued at about Rs 48.09 lakh.

According to the administration, the companies concerned could not provide complete, verifiable records showing that the goods were destroyed as required. Five licences were suspended in this case and criminal complaints were registered. Further investigation is on.

In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, two cold storage units were acted against on a single day. From them, 1,97,480 kg of goods valued at about Rs 4.19 crore were seized. The seized items include chilli powder, raisins, jaggery and pasteurised butter. The licences of both cold storage units were suspended.

Action was also taken across the state against banned gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco. In these cases, 22 FIRs were registered and 20 accused were arrested. Goods, including vehicles, worth about 3.15 crore rupees were seized.

The largest seizure was reportedly in the Manor area of Palghar district. In many places, vehicles were stopped and banned goods were caught. The police were also called in to help in the action.

Demand for sweets, spices and other food items rises during Diwali, making it necessary to keep watch on quality, storage and cleanliness. The aim of the drive is to act against establishments that break the rules and to ensure customers get safe food.