The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified food safety inspections during the festive season. The department suspended licences of 19 food business operators and seized food products worth ₹9.01 crore. Officials conducted the special enforcement drive across seven divisions and inspected 114 establishments. The operation uncovered suspected adulteration, misbranding and serious hygiene violations. Authorities also seized approximately 3.53 lakh kilograms of food articles during the campaign. The seized stock included Patanjali cow ghee worth ₹20.20 lakh from a super distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The FDA suspected violations of food safety regulations and initiated necessary enforcement action. Officials said the campaign aimed to protect consumers against unsafe food products during increased festive demand. The department continues monitoring businesses and enforcing compliance with prescribed safety standards.
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Patanjali Ghee Seizure Raises Food Safety Concerns
The FDA seized 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee from M/s Divya Mahavitarak in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The establishment operates as a super distributor for Patanjali Ayurved. Officials suspected misbranding and adulteration in the seized stock. The department confiscated 4,032 units of ghee during the inspection. These included 2,998 units containing 1,349.1 litres, valued at ₹12.29 lakh. Officials also seized another 1,034 units containing 930.6 litres, worth ₹7.91 lakh. The FDA stated that preliminary findings indicated violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Authorities have taken action against the stock while examining the suspected irregularities. The seizure forms part of the department’s broader festive-season food safety enforcement campaign.
The Maharashtra FDA suspended licences and registrations of 19 establishments following inspections across several divisions. The affected businesses included namkeen manufacturers, sweetmeat producers and spice manufacturing units. Officials identified serious hygiene deficiencies and violations of food safety regulations. Inspectors found establishments operating under unhygienic conditions and storing food improperly. Several businesses also failed to maintain pest-control records and cleaning documentation. Authorities identified deficiencies in mandatory records and compliance with prescribed safety requirements. The department suspended operations or licences wherever officials detected serious violations. The FDA emphasised that food businesses must maintain hygienic premises and follow statutory requirements. The action aims to strengthen accountability among manufacturers, distributors and other food business operators.
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Edible Oil, Rice and Other Food Products Seized Across Maharashtra
The enforcement campaign also resulted in substantial seizures of edible oil and other food commodities. Officials confiscated 1,44,218 kilograms of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district. The department also seized 20,560 kilograms of rice, pulses, jaggery and other food products from Amin Traders in Satara. In Pune division, inspectors seized edible oil from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur. Between October 28 and 31, officials confiscated banned food articles worth ₹79.40 lakh from 17 establishments. Authorities registered 13 FIRs and arrested 16 individuals during the enforcement period. The department also sealed seven establishments and seized six vehicles. These actions demonstrate the scale of inspections undertaken during the festive season.
The FDA inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions. Officials issued 29 improvement notices after identifying food safety and hygiene deficiencies. The department initiated these measures under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its applicable regulations. Separately, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services and Flipkart India. These notices concerned alleged violations involving the labelling and advertising of Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder. Authorities directed the companies to submit explanations within 30 days. The FDA and FSSAI continue strengthening regulatory oversight across food manufacturing, distribution and online sales. Officials emphasise consumer protection, accurate product information and compliance with food safety standards.
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