Maharashtra FDA Seizes Food Items Worth ₹45 Lakh Ahead of Diwali; Two Arrested in Statewide Crackdown
Maharashtra : In a major crackdown ahead of the Diwali festival, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food products worth approximately ₹45 lakh across the state, arrested two individuals and taken action against several food establishments over suspected violations of food safety regulations.
The special inspection drive was conducted over three days, targeting hotels, restaurants, sweet shops and food manufacturing units to prevent the sale and distribution of unsafe, prohibited and potentially adulterated food products during the festive season.
According to an official statement issued by the department on Tuesday, the statewide operation resulted in the suspension of licences of five establishments, registration of three FIRs and sealing of two premises. Officials also seized two vehicles allegedly used to transport prohibited food items.
During the inspections, the Konkan and Nashik divisions reported the seizure of prohibited food products worth ₹11.55 lakh. The action in these areas also led to the arrest of two individuals, registration of three FIRs, seizure of two vehicles and sealing of two establishments.
In a significant operation in Mumbai, FDA officials seized approximately 4,002 kilograms of halwa and other sweets valued at ₹11.11 lakh from a luxury bus in the Chembur area on Monday. The food products were allegedly being transported without proper temperature control and under unhygienic conditions, raising serious concerns about their safety and the possibility of contamination.
Considering the potential health risks associated with the improper transportation and storage of food products, officials collected six samples for laboratory testing. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the test reports.
In separate inspections across six divisions — Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur — the FDA seized additional food stocks worth approximately ₹22.34 lakh. The confiscated products included sweets, farsan, edible oil and dry fruits.
The statewide crackdown comes at a time when demand for sweets, snacks and other food products increases significantly ahead of Diwali. The FDA’s action is aimed at ensuring that consumers have access to safe and hygienic food while preventing the circulation of prohibited or potentially unsafe products in the market.
The department has indicated that further action will depend on laboratory findings and the outcome of inspections. The drive also serves as a warning to food manufacturers, traders and transporters to follow food safety standards and maintain proper hygiene and storage conditions, particularly during the festive season.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
