The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a year-round action plan to ensure the safety and quality of food sold during festivals
across the state. The plan will cover major festivals including Eid, Holi, Bakrid, Diwali, Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Mahashivratri and Makar Sankranti. Food inspections and enforcement drives will be carried out from January to December, with action planned according to the nature and scale of each festival. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the move aims to ensure that people get safe and healthy food during every festival. “Whether it is Eid or Diwali, people should get healthy and safe food during festivals,” he said. Mundhe said Maharashtra has introduced the concept of “Safe Food and Safe Drug” and pointed out that demand for food rises sharply during festivals. The increased demand can sometimes result in poor-quality food reaching consumers.
Four-Level Plan For Festival Food Safety
According to the FDA, the new system will bring festival-related food safety action under one year-round framework and the same law will apply to all communities.
The action plan has been divided into four levels based on the scale and nature of festivals.
- Level 1 will cover major state-level festivals such as Ganeshotsav and Navratri. Strict food safety enforcement will be carried out, with preparations beginning 15 to 21 days before the festival.
- Level 2 will cover other major festivals such as Mahashivratri and Makar Sankranti. Inspections and enforcement will be planned one to 14 days before the festival.
- Level 3 will focus on local festivals. FDA teams will inspect local sweet shops and other food establishments to check compliance with food safety rules.
- Level 4 will continue after the festival. The FDA will carry out inspections and enforcement for 30 days after the celebrations to check compliance and take action against violations.
Fasting Food, Oil, Dry Fruits And Online Food Under Watch
The FDA will give special attention to food items that see higher demand during specific festivals. These will include fasting foods, cooking oil, dry fruits, bakery products and food sold through online platforms.
Food served at mahaprasad, bhandaras and langars will also come under the inspection drive. The FDA will also conduct regular food safety training for organisers and food handlers involved in such events. Mundhe said that while festival-related food safety rules already exist, Maharashtra did not previously have a comprehensive action plan covering the entire year.
Starting September 3, the FDA will issue an order implementing the year-round festival food safety mechanism. The department said the structured system is aimed at preventing food safety violations and ensuring that consumers receive safe and quality food during festivals.
