Maharashtra FDA arrests 33, seals 27 establishments in statewide crackdown on food adulteration

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA has arrested 33 individuals and sealed 27 establishments during a threeday statewide enforcement drive aimed at curbing food adulteration sale of banned products and violations of food safety regulationsThe special operation conducted between May 25 and May 27 covered all six administrative divisions of the state and resulted in the seizure of goods worth more than Rs 2067 lakh officials said on SaturdayAccording to FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe the campaign targeted manufacturers distributors and sellers involved in the sale of prohibited products adulterated food items and food products produced in violation of prescribed safety standardsStatewide inspections target banned products and unsafe food unitsFDA teams carried out inspections across multiple districts focusing on the sale and distribution of banned products such as gutkha and pan masala as well as food manufacturing processing and packaging unitsOfficials examined compliance with food safety norms labelling requirements and licensing conditions during the operation Several establishments were found allegedly violating provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006As many as 33 persons were arrested 27 establishments were sealed and goods worth more than Rs 2057 lakh were seized We will register chapter cases against repeat offenders and take stringent action against those who compromise public health Mundhe saidThe FDA indicated that legal proceedings would be initiated against repeat violators and establishments found repeatedly flouting food safety regulationsMumbai records highest number of actionsThe Mumbai metropolitan division witnessed the highest number of enforcement actions during the campaignAccording to officials 19 individuals were detained in the region and 19 establishments were sealed for alleged violations related to food safety and the sale of prohibited productsThe crackdown formed part of a larger effort by the FDA to intensify surveillance and enforcement activities ahead of the monsoon season when concerns regarding food contamination and public health risks typically increaseSamples collected from multiple food categoriesApart from taking action against banned products FDA teams collected samples of a wide range of food items for laboratory testingThe samples included packaged drinking water milk fruit juices carbonated beverages edible oils sweets ice cream spices khoya paneer ghee gram flour and bakery productsFood products worth approximately Rs 2868 lakh were seized under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act while samples were sent for detailed quality analysis to determine whether they met prescribed safety standardsOfficials said further action would depend on the results of laboratory examinationsAdulteration and food safety violations detected in several districtsDuring the operation authorities uncovered multiple cases of suspected adulteration and regulatory violations across MaharashtraIn Jalgaon district FDA officials detected an alleged milk adulteration racket in which edible oil was reportedly mixed with cow milkIn Pune districts Indapur area officials seized mangoes worth around Rs 20000 after finding evidence suggesting the fruits had been artificially ripened using chemical substancesMeanwhile in Mumbais Dharavi area action was taken against a noodle manufacturing unit for alleged violations of food safety regulations and labelling norms A significant quantity of stock was seized during the inspectionIn Nashik proceedings were initiated against several establishments over alleged licence violations misleading labelling practices and the sale of substandard edible oilsFDA warns of strict action against offendersThe enforcement drive also led to the seizure of stock worth several lakh rupees from an ice cream manufacturing unit in Palghar where officials allegedly found unhygienic production conditions and violations of food safety standardsMundhe said the FDA would adopt a zerotolerance approach towards individuals and businesses found endangering public healthHe warned that violations of food safety laws could result not only in penalties but also criminal prosecution in serious casesThe FDA commissioner also appealed to citizens to report suspected cases of food adulteration by providing details about the product location and establishment involved He said the department is developing a dedicated mobile application that will enable consumers to lodge complaints and share information more easily with authoritiesWith inputs from PTI