Maharashtra FDA Confiscates Rs 9 Crore in Food Products
In a major enforcement operation, the Maharashtra FDA has seized food items worth over Rs 9 crore, including Patanjali ghee, and suspended 19 licenses.
FDA confiscated 3.53 lakh kg of food products during a festive season drive.
19 food business licenses were suspended due to serious hygiene violations.
The operation included the seizure of banned food items worth Rs 79 lakh.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted a significant enforcement operation, seizing food products valued at over Rs 9 crore. This action took place in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where more than 2,200 litres of Patanjali cow ghee were confiscated from a super distributor as part of a special festive-season initiative. The FDA reported that a total of 3.53 lakh kg of food articles were seized from 114 establishments across seven divisions of the state.
The seized items included 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee, valued at Rs 20.20 lakh, from M/s Divya Mahavitarak. The FDA's actions were prompted by suspicions of misbranding and adulteration, leading to the confiscation of 4,032 units of ghee. The agency indicated that the stock was found to be in violation of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
In addition to the ghee seizure, the FDA suspended the licenses of 19 food businesses, including those involved in the production of snacks, sweets, and spices. These establishments, located in Mumbai, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, were cited for serious hygiene lapses, including poor operating conditions and inadequate pest control. The FDA emphasized the importance of compliance with food safety regulations to protect public health.
The festive season drive also uncovered additional violations, resulting in the seizure of 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, along with various food items from Amin Traders in Satara. The FDA's efforts led to the confiscation of banned food products worth Rs 79.40 lakh from 17 establishments, with several arrests and FIRs filed during the operation.
Looking ahead, the FDA plans to continue its enforcement actions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to ensure compliance and enhance food safety across Maharashtra. The agency is also monitoring other businesses and has issued improvement notices to establishments found lacking in food safety and hygiene standards.
