The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a significant enforcement campaign across the state, seizing food products valued at more than Rs 9 crore ahead of the festive season. The operation, which took place between October 28 and 31, resulted in the suspension of licences and registrations for 19 food business operators. Officials stated that approximately 3.53 lakh kg of food items were confiscated from 114 establishments spanning seven divisions in the state.
Among the notable seizures was a consignment of Patanjali cow ghee. The FDA recovered 2,279.7 litres of the product, valued at Rs 20.20 lakh, from a super distributor known as M/s Divya Mahavitarak, located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. According to the regulatory agency, this specific action was initiated based on strong suspicions of misbranding and adulteration. The seized ghee consisted of 4,032 units, which were found to be in prima facie violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The regulatory crackdown extended well beyond a single brand, targeting various sectors of the food industry, including manufacturers of namkeen, sweets, and spices. Establishments in Mumbai, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar faced the brunt of the licensing suspensions. Inspections conducted by the agency revealed multiple breaches of safety protocols, such as poor hygiene, improper storage methods, and a notable lack of pest-control arrangements. Furthermore, several operators failed to maintain required documentation and cleaning records, directly contravening prescribed food safety standards.
Large-scale confiscations were reported at multiple sites across the state. In the Thane district, authorities seized 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi. Separately, officials confiscated 20,560 kg of assorted food items—including rice, pulses, and jaggery—from Amin Traders in Satara. Additional stocks of edible oil were recovered from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur, highlighting a widespread effort to monitor food quality during the high-demand festive period.
The administrative measures also involved legal action against non-compliant entities. The FDA reported that 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered, leading to the arrest of 16 individuals. Beyond the suspensions and arrests, officials sealed seven establishments and seized six vehicles found to be involved in the transportation or distribution of the suspect goods. Furthermore, prohibited food products valued at Rs 79.40 lakh were removed from circulation at 17 different locations.
Hotel and restaurant standards were also under scrutiny, with officials inspecting 34 eateries across Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur. These inspections culminated in the issuance of 29 improvement notices, citing various hygiene and food safety shortcomings that need to be addressed by the operators. These enforcement measures were carried out under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and associated regulations.
In a related development, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued show-cause notices to several major platforms, including Amazon Seller Services, Flipkart India, Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, and ACFO Pharmaceuticals. These notices concern allegations regarding the labelling and advertising of the product 'Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder'. The companies involved have been given a 30-day window to provide formal explanations to the regulator regarding these potential violations.
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