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Maharashtra FDA seizes chemically ripened bananas, destroys adulterated milk
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Thursday, 08 October, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
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 The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped up enforcement against food safety violations across the state, seizing 1,394 kg of bananas allegedly ripened by directly dipping them in an ethephon solution at the APMC Turbhe Fruit Market in Navi Mumbai, destroying 16,730 litres of detergent-adulterated milk in Solapur district and seizing prohibited food products and vehicles worth nearly Rs. 1.29 crore in Mumbai and Konkan divisions.
The action, taken as part of ongoing food safety enforcement, also resulted in FIRs and arrests in cases involving prohibited food items, while the FDA suspended the licences of eight food establishments and registration certificates of three others in Mumbai Division for violations relating to hygiene, food storage, documentation and safety practices.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said that the department would continue to act against practices that compromise food safety and public health. He said enforcement would focus not only on seizure of unsafe or prohibited food products but also on identifying the source, method of distribution and persons responsible for such violations.
In Navi Mumbai, FDA officials acted on information regarding artificial ripening of fruits at Stall No. N-919 at the APMC Fruit Market, Sector 19, Turbhe. During an inspection on October 5, a Food Safety Officer and panch witnesses found a worker allegedly dipping bananas in a solution of BTHILEX, containing Ethephon 39 per cent SL, a plant growth regulator.
The worker reportedly admitted preparing the solution by mixing two caps of the chemical in five litres of water. The FDA seized 1,394 kg of bananas comprising 198 kg of Sundari, 498 kg of Elaichi and 698 kg of Khatta Meetha varieties, with an estimated value of Rs. 67,814.
Three statutory banana samples and one surveillance sample of the chemical-mixed ripening solution were collected and sent for analysis. The FDA also found that the manufacturer details printed on the BTHILEX packaging appeared suspicious and that no Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registration number was displayed. The matter is being referred to the concerned department for action under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
A case has been registered at APMC Police Station, Navi Mumbai, under relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including Section 59 relating to unsafe food, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Insecticides Act. Further proceedings under Section 42 of the Food Safety and Standards Act are expected after receipt of the Food Analyst's report.
The FDA has reiterated that direct dipping of fruits in ethephon solution for ripening is prohibited. While ethylene gas up to 100 ppm can be used for controlled fruit ripening in closed chambers according to the prescribed procedure, calcium carbide, commonly referred to as "masala", is prohibited under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011. The FDA has also pointed out that fruit subjected to improper chemical ripening may retain residues and pose health concerns.
The enforcement drive also covered milk adulteration in Malshiras, Solapur. Two cases were registered after milk samples collected from separate establishments tested positive for detergent and were declared unsafe for human consumption.
At Mahalaxmi Milk and Milk Products, Piliv, a sample collected on July 7 showed fat content of 2.7 per cent against the required minimum of 3.2 per cent and milk solids-not-fat of 7.04 per cent against the required 8.3 per cent. The sample was also detergent-positive. The FDA destroyed 7,634 litres of remaining milk valued at Rs. 3,05,360.
A second case involved Delivish Agro Dairy Product Pvt. Ltd., Piliv. The sample collected on July 5 showed fat content of 2.5 per cent and milk solids-not-fat of 7.28 per cent, along with a positive test for detergent. The remaining 9,096 litres of milk, valued at Rs. 3,63,840, were destroyed. FIRs 487/2026 and 486/2026 were registered at Malshiras Police Station on October 1 under the relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In Mumbai Division, FDA inspections between September 30 and October 5 found prohibited food products at three establishments. Stock valued at Rs. 31,14,615 was seized, three FIRs were registered and three persons were arrested. The enforcement action included seizure of prohibited food products from locations in Dharavi, Bandra East and Santacruz West.
In Konkan Division, two separate actions resulted in seizure of prohibited food products and vehicles worth Rs. 98.30 lakh. At Charoti Toll Naka in Palghar, an Eicher vehicle carrying Bajirao Scented Pan Masala and Mastani 216 Premium Chewing Tobacco was intercepted. The prohibited products were valued at Rs. 43.50 lakh and the vehicle at approximately Rs. 20 lakh. A case was registered at Kasa Police Station.
In another operation at Khadinavde Toll Naka, Vasai, an Eicher truck carrying prohibited gutkha and scented tobacco was intercepted. The food products were valued at Rs. 19.80 lakh and the vehicle at Rs. 15 lakh. A case was registered at Mandvi Police Station against the driver and others concerned.
The FDA also inspected 11 hotels, restaurants, caterers and bakeries in Mumbai Division. Eight food licences and three registration certificates were suspended following findings including inadequate temperature control, poor sanitation, presence of insects and flies, improper storage, use of non-food-grade packaging, absence of required food safety records and inadequate personal hygiene among food handlers.
The inspections covered establishments in Borivali, Vile Parle, Andheri, Tardeo, Mumbai Central, Mazgaon, Byculla and Girgaon. The violations included uncovered food, improper segregation of raw and cooked food, use of overused or blackened oil, rusted utensils, inadequate pest control, absence of cleaning schedules and missing medical, training, laboratory and audit records.
The FDA has urged consumers to report food safety violations and malpractices through its toll-free number 1800222365 or the Food and Drug Grievance Portal. The enforcement drive is aimed at strengthening compliance across the food supply chain and preventing unsafe, adulterated and prohibited food products from reaching consumers.
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