21 August,2026 10:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Tarun Verma
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. File Pic
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) crackdown on artificial food colours is having an unexpected effect on street food, with chicken lollipops, Manchurian balls and shawarma turning yellow as vendors stop using synthetic colours.
The campaign, dubbed locally as the 'Tukaram Mundhe effect', has prompted vendors to modify their cooking methods to avoid license suspensions and fines.
A food truck proprietor in Marol Naka, specialising in chicken shawarma and tandoori items, spoke to mid-day on condition of anonymity and said that his business has eliminated synthetic food dyes and chemical preservatives, noting that marinated meats have shifted from deep red to natural yellow.
Similarly, a 44-year-old vada pav vendor in Andheri East, not wishing to be named, stated he has stopped purchasing unlabelled or loose palm oil, transitioning entirely to packaged, compliant cooking oils following the FDA announcement.
Speaking to mid-day, FDA chief Tukaram Munde said the FDA is carrying out continuous enforcement drives against vendors breaching sanitation and processing regulations.
He pointed to a marked reduction in the illegal use of artificial food dyes amongst street vendors following recent inspections. Dishes such as chicken lollipops and Manchurian balls - traditionally presented in vibrant red hues - are now predominantly being prepared without synthetic dyes.
"Earlier, chicken lollipops and Manchurian balls used to be red," Mundhe remarked.
"Since our crackdown and strict action, the colour has gone, and vendors have stopped using food colour on a very large scale," he said.
An unyielding push for public health, Mundhe issued a comprehensive statewide order on Thursday, 20 August, targeting the sale of loose edible oil, the refilling of used oil containers, and the repeated reuse of frying oil.
The strict 14-clause enforcement order, enacted under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, came into immediate effect. It applies across the entire supply chain, governing oil expeller units, large-scale manufacturers, local retailers, and online delivery platforms.
Speaking about the division of operational oversight in Mumbai, Mundhe explained that there is no formal collaboration between the FDA and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as both entities operate under distinct legal mandates.
The BMC's jurisdiction focuses on urban encroachment, licensing, and the physical positioning of stalls. Conversely, the FDA remains exclusively responsible for auditing compliance with national food safety legislation and FSSAI standards. Mundhe reiterated that non-compliant hawkers and stalls will face immediate legal action.
