Maharashtra FDA Confiscates Food Items Worth ₹9 Crore Ahead of Diwali
In a pre-Diwali crackdown, Maharashtra's FDA has seized food products valued over ₹9 crore, including Patanjali Cow Ghee, due to suspected adulteration.
Maharashtra FDA seized food products exceeding ₹9 crore during a statewide enforcement drive.
2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee, valued at ₹20 lakh, were confiscated in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Nineteen food business licenses were suspended for serious hygiene violations.
In a significant enforcement operation, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confiscated food products worth over ₹9 crore as part of a pre-Diwali initiative aimed at ensuring food safety. The operation, led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, took place across all seven administrative divisions of the state, targeting food adulteration and regulatory compliance ahead of the festive season.
The FDA's inspections spanned 114 food establishments, resulting in the suspension of licenses for 19 food business operators due to serious hygiene and regulatory breaches. Among the notable seizures was 2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee, valued at approximately ₹20 lakh, taken from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. This action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, based on suspicions of misbranding and adulteration, although these allegations are still under investigation.
The operation also uncovered substantial quantities of edible oils, rice, pulses, and jaggery, with the largest seizure occurring in the Konkan division, where over 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil from various brands was confiscated in Bhiwandi, Thane district. Inspections in Pune, Satara, Solapur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar revealed further violations, including poor sanitation and improper food storage practices across a range of food products, such as spices and dairy items.
In a separate initiative focused on banned food products, the FDA seized goods worth ₹79.4 lakh from 17 establishments between October 28 and October 31. This operation led to 13 FIRs, the arrest of 16 individuals, and the sealing of seven establishments, alongside the confiscation of six vehicles.
The FDA has issued a consumer advisory urging the public to purchase food products only from licensed vendors during the festive season. Consumers are advised to avoid unlabeled or loose items and to check packaging details, batch numbers, and expiry dates carefully. This enforcement drive underscores the critical need for food safety inspections, particularly during festivals when demand for various food items surges.
