29 May,2026 10:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The FDA stated that the drive against misleading medicinal products and advertisements will continue across Maharashtra. Representational Pic/File/iStock
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines worth Rs 73.24 lakh during a statewide crackdown on misleading advertisements and misbranded drugs, reported the PTI.
The action was taken following instructions issued by newly appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
According to an official release issued on Friday, the FDA targeted medical shops and establishments accused of violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
Officials reportedly found several products being promoted with claims of guaranteed cures, miraculous results and prohibited treatments for serious illnesses, according to the PTI.
The FDA said such advertisements mislead the public and can pose serious risks to public health.
The highest seizure of Ayurvedic drug stocks was reported in the Konkan division, where medicines worth Rs 18.58 lakh were confiscated.
This was followed by Pune division with seizures worth Rs 14.68 lakh, Nagpur with Rs 7.26 lakh and Nashik with Rs 7.10 lakh. Mumbai recorded seizures worth Rs 1.85 lakh, while smaller amounts were seized in Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions, as per the PTI.
In a separate action, the Pune division also seized misbranded allopathic medicines worth Rs 21.83 lakh.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said authorities would take strong action against anyone endangering public health through false advertisements or illegal drug manufacturing.
"No concession will be granted to anyone playing with public health. Legal action against misleading advertisements and illegal drug manufacturing will become more stringent," Mundhe said in the official statement, according to the PTI.
The FDA stated that the drive against misleading medicinal products and advertisements will continue across Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, the FDA also seized suspicious items, including edible oil, toddy, ghee and gutkha, worth almost Rs 12 lakh in Thane district, leading to the arrest of six persons, an official said on Thursday.
The special operation was conducted on May 27 under the guidance of Mundhe, he added.
An official statement further said, "During the inspections of various food establishments, FDA officials seized suspicious stock totalling Rs 7,30,150. This includes edible oil worth Rs 1,49,724, farsan worth Rs 93,830, ghee worth Rs 2,06,800, and hakka noodles valued at Rs 8,190. Additionally, toddy worth Rs 17,100, sherbet worth Rs 54,096, and gum arabic worth Rs 1,97,640 were confiscated due to regulatory violations," reported the PTI.
FDA Joint Commissioner Parag Nalawade stated, "Six persons were arrested for possessing and selling banned food items like pan masala and gutkha."
(with PTI inputs)
