10 September,2026 11:28 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra FDA raids Thane food units, seizes adulteration-suspected stock worth Rs 20.48 lakh (Pic/Special arrangement)
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has intensified its action against food establishments found violating food safety and hygiene norms across the state. In a major operation, the Maharashtra FDA has suspended the licences of seven food establishments in Mumbai and seized food products and raw materials worth Rs 20.48 lakh in the Shil-Diva Road area of Thane, following inspections.
Maharashtra FDA has suspended the food licences of seven food establishments in Mumbai following inspections on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Shri Gajanan Vadapav and Snacks Centre in Kanjurmarg: Officials found that temperature monitoring was not being carried out regularly despite facilities for heating, cooling, and refrigeration. Following an inspection, the FDA suspended the licence of the establishment.
The FDA further mentioned that the pest-control measures in the establishment were inadequate, and vada pav preparation was being carried out in an open kitchen without a door. Some food preparation equipment and containers were also made from materials unsuitable for food contact.
Samarth Sweets in Jogeshwari: The food licence of Samarth Sweets was also suspended after FDA officials found open drains and accumulated garbage near the entrance. As per the FDA, the production area did not have a proper linear workflow from raw material to processing and packing, creating a risk of cross-contamination. Clothes, bedding, and personal belongings were also stored in the production area.
Ekdvira Zunka Bhakar Centre in Mulund East: FDA suspended the food licence of the Mulund East-based establishment on finding several hygiene and food safety violations, including inadequate ventilation, uncovered garbage bins, an open food preparation area, and improper segregation of food and non-food items.
Manisha Sweets in Mulund East: The Maharashtra FDA also suspended the food licence of Manisha Sweets in Mulund, highlighting the lapses at the establishment. FDA said that they found its production area being operated in an open and unhygienic space and that there were no separate storage arrangements for food, packaging materials, chemicals, and personal belongings.
Nawab Seekh Corner: Officials found ants in stored semolina, uncovered raw meat, and improper segregation of raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat food. The refrigerator and food storage areas were also found to be dirty and disorganised, while food preparation equipment was not being properly cleaned and sanitised.
Hotel Adinath: The food regulator suspended Hotel Adinath's licence with immediate effect after officials found multiple violations of hygiene and food-handling requirements, including inadequate food storage, deficiencies in refrigeration and temperature control, dirty surfaces, inadequate ventilation, and insufficient pest-proofing.
Jai Maharashtra Masala Dosa Corner: The FSSAI licence of this food establishment was suspended after FDA officials found poor cleaning and sanitisation, accumulated food waste, pest activity, and the absence of an effective pest-control programme and related records.
On Wednesday, the FDA, following confidential information about establishments involved in the manufacture and sale of farsan, wafers, chiwda, namkeen, and other food products in the Bhaskar Compound area of Khadi Gaon along Shil-Diva Road conducted raids across Thane.
During the inspection, officials found stocks of prepared food products, raw materials, and edible oils at some establishments. They seized potato wafers, fasting chiwda, spicy wafers, black pepper wafers, mixed farsan, sev, bhakarwadi, diet chiwda, Schezwan sticks, banana chips, maida, besan, pea flour, palmolein oil, and used cooking oil.
A total of 28,955 kg of food products and 56 litres of used cooking oil, valued at Rs 20,48,801.50, were seized on suspicion that they were adulterated or of substandard quality. The department said the food was being manufactured in extremely unhygienic and unsafe conditions, posing a potential risk to human health.
As per an official statement, some establishments were found operating without valid food licences, while production areas had extremely dirty and greasy floors contaminated with accumulated oil and other residues. Officials also found temporary shed sheets being used for roofs and walls, open sections in production areas, and inadequate wastewater drainage.
The surrounding areas were reportedly dirty and unhygienic, with foul smells, stagnant wastewater, cockroaches, and rats. Cows, dogs, and cats were also frequently seen around some establishments. The FDA further found that packaged food labeling requirements were not being followed and workers were preparing food without aprons, gloves, or caps.
The licences and registrations of four establishments in Thane were suspended following the raids, and orders were issued directing them to stop operations.
The FDA also suspended the licences of three hotels in the Pune division with immediate effect for violating food safety and hygiene requirements.
These establishments are Hotel Shahi near Kolhapur Naka in Malkapur, Satara; Saber Restaurant in Bhushi village, Lonavala; and Sairat Biryani in Koregaon Park, Pune.
According to the FDA, all three establishments were found to have violated licence conditions and provisions under Schedule 4 relating to food safety and hygiene.
The FDA also conducted a re-inspection of Shelke Mama Dhaba Restaurant in Khultabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, on September 8.
The establishment had earlier been inspected on July 27, following which an improvement notice was issued on July 30. Despite submitting an explanation, the restaurant had failed to rectify the deficiencies mentioned in the notice, the FDA said.
Further action is being taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations framed under it.
The FDA has issued an advisory for organisers and food business operators involved in community food distribution programmes during festivals, religious events, yatras, urs, and other public gatherings.
The food safety regulator has made a "Prior Intimation Form for Community Food Distribution" available on its Food & Drug Grievance Portal for programmes involving Mahaprasad, Annachhatra, langar, bhandara, and other forms of community food distribution.
According to the FDA, if food for such programmes is prepared and distributed through a licensed or registered caterer or kitchen, the prescribed prior-intimation form must be submitted to the designated FDA officer at least seven days before the event.
The FDA has further appealed to organisers and food business operators involved in community food distribution programmes to strictly follow food safety regulations and cooperate with the administration.
