FNB News - Maharashtra FDA seizes 6,495 kg of food articles

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POLICY & REGULATIONS

Maharashtra FDA seizes 6,495 kg of food articles

Friday, 30 October, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]

Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized 6,495 kg of food articles valued at Rs. 24.92 lakh during a statewide enforcement drive conducted on October 27, 2026, targeting suspected substandard, improperly labelled and potentially unsafe food products. The inspections covered Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions, with action against 12 food business establishments involving products ranging from sweets and dairy items to edible gum, dry fruits, millet-based foods and rice.

The drive aims to strengthen compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prevent the sale of food that fails to meet prescribed quality and safety requirements, and ensure that food businesses maintain appropriate licensing, registration, labelling and storage practices. The FDA has also warned operators against violations and urged consumers to report suspicious food products through its grievance redressal channels.

Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra State, said the department would continue inspections and legal action to protect public health. “Strict action will be taken against establishments selling substandard, adulterated or wrongly labelled food. No laxity in enforcing food safety will be tolerated,” he said.

The largest seizure in terms of both weight and value was recorded in the Nagpur division, where FDA officials seized 1,795 kg of Mamta sonpapdi valued at Rs. 10,60,970 from M/s. Radhekrishna Food Products in Kamthi. The establishment was found operating without the required license or registration, while the label declarations on its products were also found deficient. The department has initiated action relating to licensing and labelling compliance.

In the Mumbai division, officials examined stocks of rice, milk and milk products, sweets and other food articles. At M/s. Yashoda Dairy, 250.50 kg of milk powder, buffalo milk and paneer valued at Rs. 76,510 was seized. The department also seized 296 kg of broken rice worth Rs. 35,520 from M/s. Classic Enterprises, 72 kg of mohanthal valued at Rs. 36,000 from M/s. Geetanjali Catering Services, and 240.50 kg of assorted sweets worth Rs. 1,22,260 from Arihant Sweets.

The sweets seized from Arihant Sweets are suspected of containing excess added colour, prompting further action by the department. The inspection of these establishments forms part of the FDA's efforts to verify the quality and safety of food products available in the market, particularly items consumed directly by the public.

In the Konkan division, the FDA seized 631 kg of jaggery, jaggery powder and honey valued at Rs. 1,43,400 from M/s. Peshwai Amrattulya Tea. Officials also seized 1,298 kg of edible gum, or gond, worth Rs. 2,69,600 from M/s. Sanjay Brothers. The action followed concerns regarding the quality and conformity of the products with prescribed standards.

In Pune division, inspections covered futane dal, almonds, raisins, sesame and other food commodities. Officials seized 478 kg of futane dal worth Rs. 53,775 from M/s. Ricky Traders, 358 kg of almonds valued at Rs. 3,58,000 from M/s. S. S. Sales Corporation, and 493 kg of black raisins worth Rs. 2,46,500 from M/s. Nirmal Cold Storage. The stocks were suspected of having labelling defects and contravening prescribed quality standards, and further action has been initiated.

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division recorded seizures of 388 kg of millet products valued at Rs. 62,080 from M/s. Mangalmurti Trading Company in Beed and 195 kg of milk biscuits worth Rs. 27,840 from M/s. Reddy's Agency in Ahmadpur. The products were suspected of being substandard or incorrectly labelled.

The FDA has directed food business operators to comply with the licensing, registration, labelling and storage requirements under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it. Establishments are required to maintain hygienic conditions and ensure that food products meet applicable safety and quality standards.

The department has also advised consumers to purchase food only from licensed or registered outlets and check product labels, batch numbers, packing dates and best-before details before making purchases.

The latest enforcement drive underscores the department's focus on checking food businesses across multiple divisions and taking action where suspected violations are detected. The FDA said inspections and legal proceedings would continue as part of its efforts to safeguard public health and improve compliance across the food supply chain.