Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized food products worth around Rs 1.07 crore during a statewide inspection drive conducted
between July 14 and August 17, targeting milk and dairy products, prohibited food items and food establishments. The action was carried out under the "Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra" campaign under the guidance of Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. During the drive, officials seized prohibited food products worth Rs 99.39 lakh and other food items valued at around Rs8.22 lakh. Around 2,54,640 units of colostrum, worth approximately Rs 2.12 lakh, were also seized after officials found them being transported and stored in unhygienic conditions without proper temperature control. The FDA inspected 65 hotels, restaurants and dhabas across the state. Of these, 50 establishments were issued improvement notices, while eight food licences were suspended. In Mumbai, six food establishments faced licence suspension following inspections that revealed serious food safety and hygiene violations. At Otters Club in Bandra, officials found a product labelled "Regular Paneer" from Punjab Sind Dairy, which the FDA identified as analogue paneer. The establishment's FSSAI licence was suspended on August 18. Officials also found dirty and damaged flooring, blocked drainage, faulty refrigerator gaskets, temperature fluctuations and improper compliance with the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) system at the club. At Daily Fresh Bakers & Cakes in Dahisar, officials found cakes being prepared directly on the floor. The inspection also found cockroaches, flies and ants, while the bakery was allegedly using expired food colour. The bakery had a retail registration but was found to be carrying out cake manufacturing. Officials also found that mandatory documents, including medical fitness, food testing and water testing reports, were not available. At Raj Oil Trading in Vile Parle, inspectors found poor storage and hygiene conditions, along with signs of rat damage on some oil packets. The food licence was suspended. Action was also taken against Zepto Limited's establishment in Chembur after officials found serious hygiene and temperature-control violations. Chilled non-vegetarian food was stored at 9 degrees Celsius instead of the required 5 degrees Celsius or below, while frozen food was kept at -11 degrees Celsius instead of -18 degrees Celsius or below. In Pune, the licence of Hotel Chul Mutton in Lohegaon was suspended immediately after officials found serious hygiene violations. The hotel was directed not to operate until the required improvements are made. The FDA also stepped up its crackdown on prohibited products such as pan masala and gutkha. Seven FIRs were registered and 10 people were arrested. Three establishments were sealed and three vehicles were seized during the action. Nashik recorded the biggest seizure of prohibited products, with stock worth around ₹88.36 lakh seized. Two FIRs were registered and two people were arrested. In Pune, prohibited food products worth around Rs 10.07 lakh were seized. Three FIRs were registered and seven people were arrested. In Solapur's Barshi, officials seized stocks of rabdi, Indian sweet rabdi and gulab jamun premix after finding improper temperature control, unhygienic transportation and labelling violations. In Kolhapur's Panhala, pedhas were seized after officials found them stored in unhygienic conditions without proper temperature control and labelling. In Akola, FDA officials found 28 kg of expired cumin at a grocery store and took preventive action to ensure that the stock was not sold or used. The FDA said the statewide inspections were aimed at ensuring food safety, checking compliance with hygiene standards and preventing the sale and distribution of prohibited or unsafe food products.
