Mumbai, Jul 2 (PTI) The Maharashtra government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting food sample testing on a large scale across the state as part of its intensified drive against food safety violations, with 362 percent more samples being tested in June compared to the same period last year, an official said on Thursday.
The FDA has launched an aggressive inspection drive targeting food establishments and restaurants across Maharashtra. The licences of two restaurants in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar were suspended on Thursday for alleged violations of rules, officials said.
The administration has been in news for its various actions since IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, known for his strict attitude and frequent transfers, took over as FDA
commissioner.
According to an FDA official, the department had received 9,403 food samples in June 2025, of which only 1,622 or 17 per cent were tested.
As of June 1, 2026, the department had a backlog of 13,474 samples awaiting testing. During June, it tested 7,494 or 56 per cent of these samples. Of these, 4,091 were found not fit for consumption, the official said.
The FDA currently has three food testing laboratories in the state, while another three laboratories are being established. PTI AW KRK
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