The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a comprehensive statewide operation against food establishments and suppliers, resulting in the seizure of banned gutkha, pan masala, and various adulterated food products. This enforcement action, which highlights concerns over food safety and public health, involved the confiscation of goods worth several lakhs of rupees.

Particularly in Nagpur, the FDA seized gutkha and pan masala valued at Rs 4,10,782. In addition to the seized products, two vehicles worth Rs 8 lakh were also taken into custody. Following inspections, three establishments faced legal actions, as three FIRs were registered and three individuals were arrested during the operation.

Details of Seized Food Products

During the course of the operation, a significant quantity of milk and milk products was also confiscated, totalling Rs 7,38,230. This included 2,813 kg of products retrieved as part of a festival campaign. Other food items such as supari, namkeen, and toddy were also seized, amounting to 2,580 kg and 12.5 litres, respectively, with a total worth of Rs 4,66,802.

In the Konkan division, the FDA targeted vehicles transporting unfit food items, seizing 479 kg of khowa and 958 kg of sweet mawa valued at Rs 3,16,140. These items were stored in unsanitary conditions and lacked proper temperature control, rendering them unfit for human consumption. Further inspections revealed another vehicle with 659 kg of khowa and 220 kg of sweet mawa, worth Rs 2,69,940.

At Charoti Toll in Palghar, the FDA also seized 174 kg of sweet mawa, valued at Rs 48,720, due to evidence indicating that it was both substandard and improperly labelled. Such actions exemplify the FDA’s mandate to uphold food safety standards across the state.

Inspections and Regulatory Compliance

The FDA’s operations extended to the Pune division, where officials confiscated 126 kg of milk sweets, amounting to Rs 63,000, from an establishment in Karad, Satara. These products were discovered to be prepared in unsanitary conditions, raising serious health concerns. Additionally, in Kolhapur, violations related to licensing and labelling led to the seizure of 99 kg of khowa and 98 kg of rabdi, with a total worth of Rs 40,430.

Within Mumbai, the FDA conducted inspections across 27 hotels and restaurants, revealing significant compliance issues. As a result, the licences of 14 establishments were suspended, while 13 others received improvement notices to rectify the identified shortcomings. Moreover, four more establishments faced licence suspensions for failing to meet food safety and hygiene regulations.

These measures followed inspections that uncovered various lapses in food handling practices, including inadequate storage, pest infestations, insufficient staff training, and missing water testing reports. The FDA stated that these actions are part of an ongoing effort to ensure food safety and protect public health in the state.

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