Maharashtra FDA intensifies statewide food safety inspections, taking action against 73 establishments across seven divisions over hygiene violations, suspected adulteration and substandard food products; Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warns that businesses endangering public health will face strict enforcement irrespective of their size or brand.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended 43 food business licences and registrations and seized 17,824 kg of food products valued at Rs 63.09 lakh during an intensive enforcement drive conducted across the state on November 6 and 7, 2026, as part of its Diwali food safety campaign. The action covered 73 establishments across Greater Mumbai, Konkan, Nashik, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati divisions, targeting suspected adulteration, substandard food products and violations of prescribed hygiene and food safety requirements.
The enforcement exercise, undertaken under the directions of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, focused on establishments manufacturing, storing and selling sweets, khoya-mawa, paneer, pedha, farsan, Diwali faral, dry fruits and edible oils. Inspections were also conducted at hotels, clubs, canteens, grocery stores, e-commerce businesses and catering establishments to ensure compliance with food safety regulations during the festive season, when demand for sweets and other food products increases.
The inspections revealed several violations of Schedule IV requirements under the Food Safety and Standards framework. These included unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions, absence of wire mesh on windows, inadequate pest control, non-maintenance of Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and FoSTaC records, and failure to produce water analysis reports, medical fitness certificates of food handlers and purchase bills. Based on these findings, the FDA suspended 43 licences and registrations.
Nagpur division accounted for the highest number of suspensions at 18, followed by Nashik with nine, Greater Mumbai with five, Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with three each, Amravati with three and Konkan with two.
The FDA's action also extended to transportation and distribution channels, with 3,935 kg of khoya and sweets seized from two vehicles intercepted while transporting food products on highways. One vehicle carrying 3,564 kg of khoya, sweet halwa and traditional Indian sweets was intercepted at Charoti Toll Plaza on National Highway 48 in Palghar district. The consignment was valued at Rs 9.85 lakh. Officials cited improper transportation temperatures, absence of labelling and suspected safety concerns as grounds for the action. Another 371 kg of sweet halwa and mawa was seized from a passenger bus on the highway in Palghar.
Across the seven divisions, the FDA seized approximately 17.8 tonnes of food products from 29 establishments and vehicles. The seized stock included khoya, mawa, paneer, pedha, kunda, kalakand, kaju katli, barfi, halwa, chakli, chivda, namkeen, farsan, almonds, figs, ghee, refined soybean oil and palmolein oil.
Konkan division accounted for the largest seizure, with 13,970.9 kg of food products valued at Rs 54.52 lakh. Major seizures included 4,193 kg of mawa and khoya products from P. Brijwasi Mawa Barfiwala in Vasai, 3,564 kg of khoya and sweets from a vehicle at Charoti, 1,570.4 kg of namkeen, farsan and refined palmolein oil from Sangeeta Farsan and Wafers in Dombivli, and 1,300 kg of kaju katli from Mahalaxmi Sweet and Farsan Mart in Bhayander.
Pune division reported seizures of 3,142 kg valued at Rs 5.66 lakh, including 2,012 kg of halwa from Mahim Halwa Bhandar in Talwade and 829 kg of kandi pedha from Rangoli Sweets in Akkalkot. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division recorded seizures of 652 kg worth Rs 2.33 lakh, including khoya, paneer, pedha and other sweets. Greater Mumbai accounted for 23.5 kg valued at Rs 44,300, while Amravati recorded 36.5 kg worth Rs 13,140.
The FDA also ordered the destruction of perishable food articles considered hazardous to public health in the presence of witnesses. In addition, five cases were registered under Section 69, resulting in the recovery of penalties totalling Rs 70,000 at Borivali and Bhandup for violations of Schedule IV and other provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Commenting on the enforcement action, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, "It is our highest priority that every citizen gets safe and good quality food during Diwali. Whether a brand is big or small, the rules are the same for all and the action will be equally strict. Honest businesses have our full cooperation; however, no leniency will be shown to those who endanger public health."
The Commissioner emphasised that the enforcement approach would apply uniformly to food businesses irrespective of their size or brand, while establishments complying with food safety requirements would receive the administration's cooperation.
The latest drive reflects the FDA's focus on strengthening surveillance of food manufacturing, storage, transportation and retail operations during the festive season. By extending inspections beyond retail outlets to include transport vehicles, catering establishments, e-commerce operators and wholesale businesses, the department aims to address potential food safety violations across the supply chain.