Maharashtra FDA Issues SOP For Festival Food Safety

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a year-long Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure food safety during festivals. The SOP covers mahaprasad, iftar meals, annachhatra, langar, bhandara, and other large-scale food distributions.

The FDA has introduced a permanent “Festival Enforcement Calendar” to cover festivals, fairs, urus, and other religious celebrations throughout the year. Organisers will have to inform the FDA at least seven days before the event, and food must be prepared and supplied by a licensed caterer.

Under the SOP, Food Safety Officers will personally visit sites where mahaprasad, iftar meals, annachhatra, langar, and bhandara are organised to check food quality, hygiene, and compliance with safety rules. Organising mandals and institutions have been directed to use only licensed caterers.

The move comes as demand for sweets, khoa, paneer, ghee, milk, edible oil, gram flour, and dry fruits rises sharply during festivals, increasing the risk of adulteration and unsafe food. The FDA has divided festivals into three categories, with statewide enforcement for major festivals like Ganeshotsav, Navratri, and Diwali.

Regional festivals will receive targeted checks, while local fairs and village festivals will be monitored locally. Inspections will begin 21 days before a festival, with officials identifying vulnerable areas and food products and checking manufacturers, mills, wholesale markets, storage facilities, and other establishments.

During festivals, teams will conduct market surveillance, inspect sweet shops and eateries, carry out on-the-spot testing, and respond to complaints. Follow-up action will continue for up to 30 days after the festival.

Special attention will be given to milk and milk products, sweets, edible oil, fasting foods, meat, ice, water, food colours, dry fruits, gram flour, bakery products, and fruits. The FDA will intensify edible oil checks and test dry fruits for harmful contamination.

The FDA's Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, stated that recommendation for sanction of prosecution under section 42 has to be within 14 days after the festival if there are any violations. The FDA's efforts aim to ensure that festival food is safe for consumption and to prevent adulteration and foodborne illnesses.

The introduction of the SOP is a significant step towards ensuring food safety during festivals in Maharashtra. With the festival season approaching, the FDA's efforts will help to protect the health and well-being of citizens. The SOP will also help to promote a culture of food safety and hygiene among food handlers and organisers.

In conclusion, the Maharashtra FDA's SOP for festival food safety is a welcome move that will help to ensure that citizens can enjoy festival food without worrying about their health. The FDA's efforts will help to prevent adulteration and foodborne illnesses, and promote a culture of food safety and hygiene in the state.