30 May,2026 02:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has arrested 33 individuals and sealed 27 establishments during a three-day statewide enforcement drive aimed at curbing food adulteration, sale of banned products and violations of food safety regulations.
The special operation, conducted between May 25 and May 27, covered all six administrative divisions of the state and resulted in the seizure of goods worth more than Rs 20.67 lakh, officials said on Saturday.
According to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the campaign targeted manufacturers, distributors and sellers involved in the sale of prohibited products, adulterated food items and food products produced in violation of prescribed safety standards.
FDA teams carried out inspections across multiple districts, focusing on the sale and distribution of banned products such as gutkha and pan masala, as well as food manufacturing, processing and packaging units.
Officials examined compliance with food safety norms, labelling requirements and licensing conditions during the operation. Several establishments were found allegedly violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
"As many as 33 persons were arrested, 27 establishments were sealed, and goods worth more than Rs 20.57 lakh were seized. We will register chapter cases against repeat offenders and take stringent action against those who compromise public health," Mundhe said.
The FDA indicated that legal proceedings would be initiated against repeat violators and establishments found repeatedly flouting food safety regulations.
The Mumbai metropolitan division witnessed the highest number of enforcement actions during the campaign.
According to officials, 19 individuals were detained in the region and 19 establishments were sealed for alleged violations related to food safety and the sale of prohibited products.
The crackdown formed part of a larger effort by the FDA to intensify surveillance and enforcement activities ahead of the monsoon season, when concerns regarding food contamination and public health risks typically increase.
Apart from taking action against banned products, FDA teams collected samples of a wide range of food items for laboratory testing.
The samples included packaged drinking water, milk, fruit juices, carbonated beverages, edible oils, sweets, ice cream, spices, khoya, paneer, ghee, gram flour and bakery products.
Food products worth approximately Rs 28.68 lakh were seized under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, while samples were sent for detailed quality analysis to determine whether they met prescribed safety standards.
Officials said further action would depend on the results of laboratory examinations.
During the operation, authorities uncovered multiple cases of suspected adulteration and regulatory violations across Maharashtra.
In Jalgaon district, FDA officials detected an alleged milk adulteration racket in which edible oil was reportedly mixed with cow milk.
In Pune district's Indapur area, officials seized mangoes worth around Rs 20,000 after finding evidence suggesting the fruits had been artificially ripened using chemical substances.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai's Dharavi area, action was taken against a noodle manufacturing unit for alleged violations of food safety regulations and labelling norms. A significant quantity of stock was seized during the inspection.
In Nashik, proceedings were initiated against several establishments over alleged licence violations, misleading labelling practices and the sale of substandard edible oils.
The enforcement drive also led to the seizure of stock worth several lakh rupees from an ice cream manufacturing unit in Palghar, where officials allegedly found unhygienic production conditions and violations of food safety standards.
Mundhe said the FDA would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards individuals and businesses found endangering public health.
He warned that violations of food safety laws could result not only in penalties but also criminal prosecution in serious cases.
The FDA commissioner also appealed to citizens to report suspected cases of food adulteration by providing details about the product, location and establishment involved. He said the department is developing a dedicated mobile application that will enable consumers to lodge complaints and share information more easily with authorities.
(With inputs from PTI)
