Maharashtra FDA Seizes ₹25 Lakh Goods, Suspends 5 Licences

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken significant action against food establishments in the state, seizing banned items and milk and dairy products worth ₹25 lakh and suspending the licences of five hotels and restaurants for violations.

On Tuesday, the FDA inspected 31 hotels, restaurants, roadside eateries, and other food establishments, resulting in 22 improvement notices being issued and licences of five establishments being suspended. The action against banned products covered gutkha, pan masala, flavoured supari, and other prohibited items.

The FDA seized stock worth ₹11.40 lakh in eight establishments across the Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions. Additionally, around 14,552 kg of other food products, including milk and milk products, bakery products, and other items, valued at about ₹13.90 lakh, were seized.

Ten persons were arrested, and eight FIRs were registered, while six establishments were sealed. Samples were collected in some cases and sent to authorised laboratories for analysis.

Among the establishments facing licence suspension was Hotel Radha in Malad (West), Mumbai, where officials found serious hygiene and food safety deficiencies, including live rodents in the kitchen and poor drainage and sanitation. The FDA also suspended the licence of an establishment operating at Saraswati College of Engineering in Kharghar after finding deficiencies related to food safety, hygiene, and pest-control measures.

The department said action was also taken against Janata Tawa and Grill in Kurla, where serious food safety lapses were discovered. During another inspection, FDA officials found the sale of expired food products and unhygienic conditions at Parmeshthi Super Shoppe near Devagiri Hospital in Vaijapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district.

The FDA, headed by senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, said the statewide action was being carried out under the “Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra” campaign to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. The FDA urged food business operators to maintain proper storage conditions, temperature control, cleanliness, and pest-control measures, warning that violations would invite action under the Food Safety and Standards Act and relevant rules.

The crackdown on food safety is a significant step towards ensuring the health and well-being of Maharashtra's citizens. The FDA's actions demonstrate the state's commitment to providing safe and hygienic food to its residents.

The Maharashtra government has also expressed its support for the FDA's crackdown on adulterated food. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have backed the FDA's actions, seeking tough action against violators.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra FDA's crackdown on food safety is a welcome move, and the state's citizens can expect a safer and more hygienic food environment in the future.