Maharashtra FDA Festival Crackdown: Over 32,000 Kg/Litres of Suspected Food Stock Seized, 12 Licences Suspended

Mumbai: With the festive season approaching, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections across the state to prevent the sale of adulterated, substandard and unhygienically handled food. In a major enforcement drive conducted between September 17 and 20, officials seized or destroyed around 32,023 kg/litres of food products valued at approximately Rs 1.36 crore, according to the FDA.

The operation covered food businesses and establishments across Maharashtra, with officials focusing on products commonly in high demand during the festive period. The seized or destroyed stock reportedly included khoya, mawa, peda, ghee, edible oil, barfi, dry fruits, jaggery, sweets and other dairy products.

The FDA said the action was taken over concerns including suspected adulteration, inferior quality, unhygienic handling and labelling-related violations. The department’s stated objective is to ensure that consumers have access to safe and quality food as festival-related demand begins to rise.

64 food establishments inspected across Maharashtra

As part of the special drive, FDA teams inspected 64 hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other food establishments across the state.

Following the inspections, 12 food licences were suspended, while 36 establishments were issued improvement notices for deficiencies that required corrective action. The measures indicate that the crackdown was not limited to seizure of questionable food stock but also extended to businesses where officials found problems relating to food safety and hygiene practices.

Among the products seized during the operation was a large quantity of turmeric powder in Maharashtra’s Miraj MIDC area.

FDA officials reportedly seized 1,868 kg of suspected inferior-quality turmeric powder, valued at around Rs 6.53 lakh. The action was linked to concerns regarding its quality and alleged labelling violations.

Mumbai establishments face strict action

Mumbai was among the areas where the FDA took significant action during the latest campaign.

The licences of 10 food establishments in Mumbai were suspended following inspections that reportedly found food-safety and hygiene-related deficiencies. The establishments included a mix of food outlets, sweet shops and storage or distribution facilities.

One of the cases that attracted attention involved a Swiggy Instamart dark store in Ballard Estate. According to the FDA’s inspection findings reported by local media, officials found a live rat in the food-handling area, rice bags that had reportedly been gnawed by rodents, cockroaches and flies, along with other sanitation concerns.

The food licence of the facility was suspended indefinitely, with the action taking effect from September 16, according to reports.

The findings are particularly significant because dark stores and warehouses handle food products that are later delivered directly to consumers. Maintaining proper storage, pest control, cleanliness and segregation of food from waste or chemicals is therefore an important part of food-safety compliance.

Action against sweet shops and food businesses

The FDA also took action against Sadguru Sweets and Farsan Mart in Malad East, citing alleged unhygienic conditions and deficiencies in food manufacturing and hygiene practices.

Another major action involved an Amazon-linked warehouse operated by Acculogicx Supply Chain Solutions in Kandivali East. Officials reportedly found sanitation and drainage-related deficiencies, including problems around washing and storage areas.

The FDA also suspended the licence of Suleman Usman Mithaiwala on Mohammed Ali Road, citing alleged violations concerning food preparation and storage areas. According to the inspection findings, officials raised concerns about the proximity of food-related activities to drainage, sewage and waste-storage areas.

In Chembur, NICE Enterprises was also ordered to stop business after its licence was suspended following an inspection that reportedly found serious deficiencies.

Other Mumbai establishments facing regulatory action included Jain Sweet and Bhelpuri House, Go Green Food Hospitality, Swad Snacks Corner, Lucknowi Kebab and Zaika Moradabadi Hotel, according to reports on the FDA’s statewide drive.

Banned gutkha and pan masala also under the scanner

The festival-season operation was not restricted to conventional food adulteration.

The FDA also carried out action against the sale, distribution and transportation of banned food products, including gutkha, pan masala and other prohibited products.

According to reports, 14 FIRs were registered and 15 people were arrested in connection with such cases. Banned stock worth around Rs 1.38 crore was seized during the enforcement action.

In different divisions of the state, officials also seized vehicles allegedly being used to transport prohibited products, with further legal action initiated in the cases.

Why the festive season is a major focus

The timing of the crackdown is significant.

Festivals generally bring a sharp increase in demand for sweets, dairy products, ghee, edible oils, dry fruits and other food items. With higher demand and large-scale production and distribution, food-safety agencies often step up inspections to check whether businesses are following prescribed standards.

The Maharashtra FDA’s latest operation comes as part of a broader enforcement push against food businesses found to be violating regulatory requirements.

Earlier inspections this year have also resulted in seizures, licence suspensions and notices against establishments across different parts of the state.

Food safety concerns extend beyond adulteration

While adulteration remains a major concern during the festive season, the latest inspections also highlight another important issue: basic hygiene and storage practices.

Food can become unsafe not only because ingredients are deliberately adulterated but also because of poor sanitation, pest infestation, improper storage, inadequate drainage, contamination risks or poor handling practices.

The findings reported from some Mumbai establishments illustrate how food-safety inspections can involve everything from the condition of storage areas and refrigeration facilities to pest control and separation of food from waste and drainage systems.

For consumers, these checks are particularly relevant during a period when large quantities of sweets and dairy-based products are purchased and consumed within a short period.

FDA’s message to food businesses

The Maharashtra FDA has made it clear through the latest campaign that food businesses will be expected to maintain required safety and hygiene standards during the festive rush.

Businesses that fail to comply can face a range of regulatory measures, including improvement notices, seizure of food stock and suspension of licences. Where prohibited products are involved, criminal cases and arrests may also follow.

The latest drive shows that the department is monitoring not only traditional sweet shops and restaurants but also warehouses, delivery-related food storage facilities and other establishments involved in the food supply chain.

What happens next?

The FDA’s inspections and enforcement actions are expected to continue as the festive season approaches.

Where seized products are suspected to be adulterated or substandard, further regulatory proceedings can depend on inspection findings, sampling and laboratory analysis. In cases involving hygiene violations, establishments may also be required to correct deficiencies before regulatory restrictions can be reconsidered.

For consumers, the crackdown serves as a reminder to remain cautious while purchasing food during the festive season. Buying products from licensed establishments, checking packaging and labels, paying attention to storage conditions and avoiding food that appears improperly handled can help reduce food-safety risks.

The Maharashtra FDA’s latest statewide action, involving more than 32,000 kg/litres of food stock valued at about Rs 1.36 crore, underlines the scale of the enforcement effort being carried out ahead of the festivals.

As inspections continue, the focus will remain on ensuring that festive celebrations are not compromised by unsafe, adulterated or poorly handled food products.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.