Maharashtra FDA warns businesses against fake agents demanding money for licences

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration head office in Bandra-Kurla Complex. FILE PIC

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned food and drug businesses against people allegedly posing as department officials or authorised agents and demanding money to help obtain or expedite licences.

The FDA made it clear on Thursday that it has not appointed any agent, middleman or private agency to handle licensing applications or facilitate approvals. The warning covers food business operators, pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and others applying for licences.

No shortcut to an FDA licence

The department said some people are allegedly using the names of senior FDA officials and employees to convince applicants that they have access to the department and can influence the licensing process.

The FDA says

>> No agent or middleman has been appointed for licensing work.
>> Applicants do not need to pay anyone to get a licence or speed up an application.
>> Anyone claiming to have been appointed by the FDA has no such authorisation.
>> Applicants should report demands for money made in the name of an FDA officer.

The FDA said the identity of people providing information about such cases will be kept confidential.

Apply online, directly

Applicants can complete the licensing process themselves through the official online systems.

>> Drug licences
>> FDA Maharashtra's online portal
>> Food licences
>> FoSCoS, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's online platform

Application procedures and guidelines are available on the respective portals.

FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe

"There was no need for applicants to engage an agent for obtaining a food or drug licence." Mundhe urged citizens and businesses to use the official online mechanism and immediately alert the department if anyone seeks money while claiming to act on behalf of FDA officials.

Who could be targeted?

The warning is particularly relevant to

Food businesses
Restaurants, food manufacturers and other food business operators

Drug businesses
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers

Other applicants
Businesses applying for food or drug licences through the FDA

How the alleged scam works

>> Licence application
>> fake agent
>> promise of faster approval
>> money demanded

The FDA said the alleged middlemen may claim to have contacts within the department or the ability to influence a pending application. The department has advised applicants to deal directly with the official online systems instead.