The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confiscated more than 50 tonnes of food products valued at approximately Rs 1.20 crore during a recent statewide operation. This operation took place from September 23 to 27, just ahead of the festive season, as communicated by officials. A total of 50,601.78 kg of food stock was seized during inspections across multiple districts.

The food items included a variety of products such as sweets, milk and dairy products, edible oils, rice, dry fruits, snacks, tea, spices, sauces, and noodles. The FDA proactively aimed to ensure food safety and compliance with health regulations amid the increased demand for food during festive times.

As part of the enforcement action, the licences of 30 food establishments were suspended across the state. This included 13 establishments in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in the Pune division, and three in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.

Hygiene Issues and Violations Identified

During inspections in Mumbai, several food establishments were noted to have serious hygiene deficiencies. These included pest infestations, inappropriate food storage, and inadequate segregation of raw and ready-to-eat items. In one establishment, inspectors discovered cats, rat droppings, live flies, and dead cockroaches in areas designated for food preparation and storage.

Moreover, alarming findings included the presence of blood in a refrigerator and an open sewage manhole within the processing area. Food items were improperly stored on the floor, with raw dough covered by printed newspaper. Similar violations were recorded in another location where live cockroaches, lizards, and larvae were found among food items, highlighting significant lapses in maintaining hygiene and safety standards.

Legal actions are being initiated against the responsible food business operators as a consequence of these findings. In a notable instance, an establishment in Chembur was ordered to cease operations immediately for functioning without a valid food licence and for falling short of hygiene requirements.

Regional Breakdown of Seizures

A breakdown of the operations revealed that the Konkan division saw a seizure of around 23,806.90 kg of food products, valued at Rs 39.99 lakh. Authorities in this area inspected establishments in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, and Sindhudurg, identifying products that were allegedly substandard or mislabelled.

The Pune division reported the seizure of 6,366.88 kg of food items valued at Rs 28.54 lakh, which included dairy products and sweets suspected of being adulterated or unsafe. In Jalgaon, an additional 7,749.9 kg of food products were seized, totalling Rs 4.28 lakh, due to concerns over hygiene and quality.

Other regions, including Nagpur, Bhandara, and Chandrapur, also faced scrutiny, leading to the seizure of food products worth Rs 32.74 lakh, primarily due to accusations of improper labelling and storage practices. The crackdown also revealed the transportation of food products under unsanitary conditions.

Continued Enforcement and Consumer Safeguarding

In a broader crackdown, the FDA inspected 26 establishments for banned food products, leading to the seizure of stock worth Rs 30.63 lakh. This operation resulted in 22 FIRs and the arrest of 30 individuals across various districts. The FDA affirmed that it would persist with stringent actions against any establishment failing to comply with food safety norms.

Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the administration is committed to maintaining strict oversight of food quality and health regulations. Consumers have been advised to be vigilant regarding the quality of food products, checking manufacturing and expiry dates as well as the FSSAI registration of food establishments.

The FDA’s ongoing efforts aim to protect public health and reinforce the importance of food safety during a peak consumption period marked by festive celebrations.

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