Watch video: On I-Day, Maharashtra FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe calls for ‘independence’ in food choices

On Independence Day 2026 Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has called for ldquoindependencerdquo in the food people consume saying food should be healthy safe and of good quality rather than simply tasty reported the PTISpeaking to reporters on Independence Day Mundhe said the quality of food has a direct impact on public health and the countrys developmentMundhe said that Independence Day should also be an opportunity to think about the quality and safety of the food people eatHe said people should have access to food that is healthy standardised and safe rather than focusing only on taste according to the PTIHe stressed that making healthier food choices could contribute to better public healthVIDEO Mumbai Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Independence Day says I pray that the country continues to progress I am now working in food safety as the Food Safety Commissioner I want to say that our independence should also extend to the food we consumehellip pictwittercom8IGOsGFdMgmdash Press Trust of India PTI_News August 15 2026Healthy citizens can help the country progressMundhe said good health among citizens would ultimately benefit the country the news agency reportedHe linked food safety and healthy eating with the wider development of India saying that if people remain healthy consistently the country can progress furtherHis comments came as Maharashtra marked Independence Day with the FDA continuing its focus on food safety and public healthDont blindly follow others Mundhe to Gen ZMeanwhile last week Mundhe had on Saturdayshared his views on the younger generation urging Gen Z to follow its own aspirations and conscience rather than simply following the crowdDo not blindly follow others Learn the good qualities from everyone but create your own identity he saidHe encouraged young people to take an active role in bringing about positive changes in society rather than simply drifting with the currentThe FDA chief also cautioned young people about excessive use of digital platformsHe said the younger generations attention span had reduced while daily screen time had increasedIn the digital age the attention span of the younger generation has come down to around eight seconds while screen time has increased to eight or nine hours he said as per the PTIMundhe urged young people not to spend excessive time scrolling through social media reels and instead focus on learning thinking hard work and developing their own identityMore transfers mean more opportunitiesMundhe said frequent transfers do not bother him describing them as opportunities to bring about positive changes reported the PTISpeaking at an event in Maharashtras Pune the senior IAS officer said he viewed transfers as part of professional life and a chance to make a difference wherever he was postedMundhe who is regarded as an upright civil servant has been transferred more than two dozen times during his career of over two decadesAsked about his repeated transfers he said they did not trouble himFrequent transfers do not trouble me In fact change is an integral part of progress The more transfers I have the more opportunities I get to bring about positive changes he said the news agency reportedFDA steps up action against food adulterationSince taking charge as Maharashtra FDA commissioner Mundhe has launched a statewide enforcement drive against food adulteration poor hygiene and businesses operating without the required licencesHe said the department would not compromise on matters concerning public healthAdulterated food poisonous liquor and substandard food products are putting peoples health at risk he said according to the PTIMundhe said that the FDA had also introduced a tollfree number for citizens to report complaints and was receiving a positive responsewith PTI inputs