13 August,2026 08:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra FDA urged drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and food business operators not to trust anyone claiming to represent it. File Pic
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned food businesses, drug manufacturers and traders against people falsely claiming to be authorised agents or intermediaries for obtaining licences, reported the PTI.
The FDA said that it has not appointed any agent, intermediary, third party or organisation to facilitate the issuance of food or drug licences.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said applicants do not need to approach any agent or intermediary to obtain a licence.
The administration urged drug manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and food business operators not to trust anyone claiming to represent the Maharashtra FDA.
The warning comes after the department received information about people allegedly posing as authorised FDA agents and misusing the names of FDA officers and employees to demand money for obtaining licences, according to the PTI.
The FDA said the entire application process for food and drug licences is available online.
Applicants seeking drug-related licences can submit their applications through the FDA's official portal, while food businesses can apply through the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) online system, the news agency reported.
The FDA has urged applicants to use only the official portals and avoid dealing with individuals who claim they can secure licences through personal contacts within the department.
The administration has also appealed to people to report anyone demanding money while using the name of an FDA officer or employee, as per the PTI.
Complaints can be made to the FDA Commissioner's office, the department said.
The FDA added that the identity of anyone providing information about such demands would be kept completely confidential.
Meanwhile, the FDA has intensified its crackdown on Ayurvedic drug manufacturers, permanently cancelling the licences of 10 companies after inspections uncovered serious violations that could compromise the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines.
The statewide inspection drive covered all 434 licensed Ayurvedic drug manufacturing units in Maharashtra. While 135 manufacturers were issued show-cause notices for non-compliance, grave violations were found at 10 units, prompting the licensing authority to permanently cancel their manufacturing licences.
The inspections examined compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and Schedule T, which lays down Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic manufacturers.
