04 September,2026 09:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Anushree Gaikwad
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a first-of-its-kind initiative, introducing a year-round "Festival Enforcement Calendar" aimed at cracking down on food adulteration and unsafe food practices before, during, and after major festivals and religious occasions.
The order, issued on Thursday, will cover festivals, religious events, fairs, pilgrimages and other celebrations across Maharashtra. The calendar is expected to eliminate the need for the FDA to issue separate enforcement orders for individual festivals.
The initiative identifies high-risk food products, possible adulterants and the type of samples that should be collected during specific occasions. Festivals have been classified into three categories - statewide, regional, and local - and a standardised enforcement cycle will begin as early as 21 days before an event and continue for up to 30 days afterwards.
"This is the first time in India that such a comprehensive festival enforcement calendar is being implemented for food safety," FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said. He clarified that the initiative was not linked to any particular community, religion or religious practice. "It has nothing to do with religion or faith. The order is strictly related to food safety," he said.
The FDA plans to expand its laboratory infrastructure. Mundhe said four additional laboratories would be established, while existing facilities would be upgraded with new equipment to speed up testing and reduce delays in prosecution and adjudication.
Consumers have been advised to check licence numbers and Food Safety Connect QR codes, insist on bills and report suspected adulteration through the complaint portal or toll-free helpline 1800-222-365.
The FDA has also widened its focus beyond commercial establishments. Food safety officers will visit community feeding events, including mahaprasads, iftar gatherings, annachhatras, langars and bhandaras, to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Organisers of such events will be required to use licensed caterers, who must notify the designated food safety officer at least seven days in advance.
The calendar covers a wide range of products, including milk, khoya, paneer, ghee, edible oil, sweets, dry fruits, besan, fasting foods, meat, ice, packaged drinking water and bakery products. Officials will also inspect e-commerce and quick-commerce warehouses, imported food consignments and festival gift hampers.
During Diwali and Dussehra, used frying oil will be tested for Total Polar Compounds (TPC). Cooking oil containing TPC levels above 25 per cent will be treated as unsafe and destroyed. Before Navratri and Mahashivratri, fasting products such as bhagar, kuttu, singhada, sabudana, and rajgira will be sampled for fungal toxins. Dry fruits will be screened for aflatoxins.
The FDA will also monitor synthetic milk, adulterated mawa, food colours, newspaper wrapping, and aluminium vark being sold as silver. Meat cold chains, ice, packaged water, bakery products, chocolates, and imported food will also face increased scrutiny. During Christmas and New Year celebrations, cakes and cream-based products will receive particular attention.
