01 June,2026 08:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
FDA officials detected alleged use of ethylene spray and suspected harmful chemicals for artificial ripening of Alphonso and Kesar mangoes at three establishments in the APMC market in Navi Mumbai. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a statewide intensive drive against adulterated, substandard and unhygienic food products under its "Safe Food Safe Drug Safe Maharashtra" campaign, carrying out surprise inspections across multiple districts and seizing more than 84,000 kg of suspected unsafe food items.
The drive, conducted between May 29 and May 31, was led under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. During the operation, food safety officers inspected 47 establishments across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Nashik, Jalna, Beed, Nanded, Parbhani, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Hingoli, Wardha, Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, and Washim.
According to the FDA, a total of 84,335 kg of suspected unsafe, substandard and adulterated food items and adulterants, valued at Rs 97,17,163, were seized under the Food Safety and Standards Act. The seized goods included mangoes, jaggery, bundi laddus, khoya, bakery products, candies, edible oils, ghee, dates, ice cream, frozen desserts, spices, chikki, and other food items. Samples have been sent to laboratories for detailed analysis.
One of the major violations was reported from Pune's Daund taluka, where three units were found allegedly adulterating jaggery with sugar. Authorities seized 15,016 kg of jaggery and sugar mixture valued at â¹10,66,242 from the premises.
Acting under the guidance of Pune Division Joint Commissioner (Food) DV Bhogawade, the FDA conducted targeted raids at five locations in Ambegaon and Khed talukas of Pune district.
In Manchar town (Ambegaon taluka), prohibited items such as gutkha and pan masala were seized from two warehouses behind Sairaj Pan and Tea House and Sameeksha Coldrink General and Kirana Store. Stock worth Rs 30,395 was confiscated and cases registered at Manchar Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Khemraj Food Industries Pvt Ltd in Manchar was found operating without a valid licence. A total of 19,886 kg of food products (maida, besan, atta etc) worth Rs 10.49 lakh were seized.
In Khalchi Bhamburwadi village (Khed taluka), Ujjwal Supari was operating without licence. FDA officials seized 1,898 kg of supari worth Rs 8.16 lakh from the location.
At Om Sai Farsan in Nare village, officials seized 68 kg of green peas worth Rs 7,480 on suspicion of adulteration with artificial colouring agents.
The total value of seizures in the Pune division during this drive stands at Rs 19.03 lakh.
In Navi Mumbai, FDA officials detected the alleged use of ethylene spray and suspected harmful chemicals for artificial ripening of Alphonso and Kesar mangoes at three establishments in the APMC market. Mangoes worth Rs 11,12,850 were seized during the inspection.
The FDA also reported several other violations across the state, including units operating without valid licences, unhygienic production conditions, sale of expired products, reuse of containers, and breaches of labelling norms.
The administration has warned that strict action will be taken against offenders under the Food Safety and Standards Act, along with provisions under Section 129 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Repeat offenders will face FIRs and criminal prosecution in addition to monetary penalties.
Officials said there will be no leniency for those compromising public health and stressed that enforcement will continue in the coming weeks with intensified surveillance across Maharashtra.
The FDA has also urged citizens to report cases of suspected food adulteration, providing details such as the establishment's address and nature of violation. The department is developing a mobile application and will soon launch a toll-free helpline to facilitate complaints.
(With inputs from Archana Dahiwal)
