10 August,2026 09:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. Pic/ Anushree Gaikwad
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on food safety violations across the state, suspending the licence of a Blink Commerce facility in Malad West area of Mumbai.
The FDA on Monday said that it continued its action in Mumbai and parts of Maharashtra, seizing more than 1.19 lakh kg of edible oil in Beed alone.
Eight FIRs were registered over the sale of prohibited products, officials said.
The enforcement action, carried out between August 6 and 9, targeted establishments involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of food products.
Dairy items, edible oil, packaged drinking water, bakery products, jaggery, paneer, gutkha, pan masala and cheese analogue were among the products covered.
During a special drive targeting milk and dairy products, the FDA seized six products weighing 14,378 kg/litre and valued at Rs 93.26 lakh. Separately, 10 establishments were inspected in a crackdown on prohibited food products, leading to eight FIRs, 11 arrests and seizures worth Rs 63,206.50.
The FDA suspended the food licence of Blink Commerce Private Limited after an inspection of its Malad West facility on August 7 revealed alleged serious hygiene and storage lapses.
Officials reported widespread cockroach infestation, food stored directly on the floor, rusted racks, poorly maintained cold-storage areas, expired or tampered packaging and non-compliance with FIFO/FEFO practices.
The inspection also revealed inadequate pest and rodent control, poor waste management, lack of medical check-ups and health records for food handlers, and inadequate personal hygiene and protective equipment.
Large numbers of cockroaches were allegedly found on vegetable and fruit stocks, raising concerns over possible contamination. Expired, damaged and tampered packages were also found in cold rooms.
The FDA suspended the licence under Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and barred the establishment from carrying out food-related business until further orders.
The FDA seized 1,19,187.5 kg of edible oil worth Rs 1.54 crore after inspecting five manufacturing and repacking units in Beed on August 6 and 7. Twenty-seven samples were sent for laboratory testing.
At Swagat Oil Industries in MIDC, Beed, officials allegedly found reused tins and oil from the same tank being packed and sold under the labels "Refined" and "Ultra Refined".
The FDA seized 66,652.6 kg of edible oil worth Rs 1.05 crore, including refined soybean and palm oils and products sold under the Swagat Gold, Goodluck and Swastik brands. Ten samples were sent for testing, while the unit's FSSAI licence was suspended and the premises shut.
At Charkha Oil Mill, officials found reused tins, labelling irregularities and unhygienic conditions. The FDA seized 45,995.7 kg of edible oil worth Rs 78.22 lakh and sent 11 samples for testing. The unit was subsequently shut.
At Jai Hanuman Traders in Wadwani, 4,545.2 kg of edible oil worth Rs 7.24 lakh was seized, while three samples were sent for testing. The establishment was shut after its licence was suspended.
The FDA also seized 1,746 kg of loose refined soybean oil worth Rs 2.79 lakh from Janhavi Commercials in Majalgaon and 248 kg worth Rs 39,680 from Vinayak Oil Industries. Both units were shut after their licences were suspended.
The department has advised consumers to check the FSSAI number, manufacturing date, batch number, expiry date and mandatory labelling before purchasing edible oil.
The FDA inspected Reliance Retail Limited's ARD Cinemall in Buldhana on August 8 after receiving a complaint alleging fungal growth and live insects in Laxmi Narayan brand cashew pieces.
The batch mentioned in the complaint was not available at the outlet. However, officials found another batch in stock and collected a sample for laboratory testing.
The FDA seized 54 boxes weighing 11.340 kg and valued at Rs 10,238. Further action will depend on the laboratory report.
The FDA seized 87,320 litres of Oxyca-branded packaged drinking water worth Rs 8.73 lakh from Anita Industries in MIDC, Jalgaon, following an inspection on August 6.
Nagpur rusk unit faces action over labelling
In Nagpur, the FDA took action against Ajit Delight Pvt Ltd in Butibori after finding labelling violations on rusk containing artificial sweetener INS 951.
According to the FDA, the labels did not carry mandatory declarations relating to artificial or non-nutritive sweeteners, including the required warning that the product is not recommended for children and, where applicable, the declaration for phenylketonurics.
At Varad Jaggery in Bhuyewadi, Kolhapur, officials found unhygienic manufacturing conditions and suspected adulteration during jaggery production.
The FDA seized 450 kg of jaggery worth Rs 20,250 and 500 kg of white crystal sugar worth Rs 22,500, taking the total seizure to 950 kg valued at Rs 42,750.
Under its âSafe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign, the FDA acted against Chandra Dairy in Pili Nadi, Wanjara, and Shivam Dairy Food Products at Itha Bhatti Chowk in Nagpur.
The department said 13,866 kg of curd and cheese analogue worth Rs 12.16 lakh was destroyed under a Maharashtra food safety notification dated July 30, 2026, which prohibits the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of cheese analogue in the state.
The FDA said action against the manufacture and sale of prohibited cheese analogue would continue.
The FDA also inspected establishments in the Palghar, Thane and Navi Mumbai areas over suspected substandard and non-compliant food products.
Officials seized 99 kg of low-fat paneer worth Rs 34,650 from Gaikwad Distributors in Ulhasnagar, citing unhygienic conditions and improper storage temperatures.
Another Ulhasnagar establishment operated by Gurunath Tukaram Sadgir was found with 64 kg of low-fat paneer worth Rs 18,560, while 173 kg of paneer worth Rs 48,960 was seized from Shreeyash Dairy Products in Vasai East.
The FDA seized 196 kg/litres of cow milk worth Rs 7,840 from an establishment operated by Chandrakant Garud in Nandgaon on August 7.
Officials found the milk stored in unhygienic conditions and suspected it to be unsafe. Further legal action is expected.
The FDA also stepped up action against prohibited products, including gutkha, pan masala, scented tobacco and scented supari.
Across Maharashtra, officials inspected 10 establishments, finding prohibited products at all of them. Stock worth Rs 63,206.50 was seized, eight FIRs were registered and 11 people were arrested. Seven establishments were sealed.
Pune accounted for six inspections, four FIRs and six arrests. In Konkan, one FIR was registered and two people were arrested, while Nashik saw one FIR without any arrests. Nagpur recorded two FIRs and three arrests.
The FDA's divisional data showed that 90 hotels, restaurants and dhabas were inspected between August 7 and 9.
Eight establishments were issued improvement notices and one licence was suspended. No licence was cancelled.
Pune recorded the highest number of inspections at 78, followed by Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with nine. Greater Mumbai, Konkan and Nagpur recorded one inspection each.
The FDA has urged citizens to report food safety violations through the FoSCoS Portal, Food Safety Connect app, toll-free number 1800-222-365 or the Food & Drug Grievance Portal.
Citizens have been asked to provide their contact details, the exact address of the establishment and details of the suspected adulterated or unsafe food item while filing complaints.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the state administration had adopted a strict approach towards food safety and would not compromise public health.
He said citizens have the right to safe and pure food and warned that strict action would continue against those found adulterating food or manufacturing, storing, selling or distributing prohibited products.
