Maharashtra FDA suspends 19 food licences during festive season drive
The agency seized food items valued at over Rs 9 crore and took action against a Patanjali distributor for suspected adulteration.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licences of 19 food business operators and seized food products worth more than Rs 9 crore during a special campaign, according to a Deccan Herald report on Monday.
The crackdown involved 114 establishments across seven divisions of Maharashtra, where officials confiscated approximately 3.53 lakh kg of food items valued at Rs 9.01 crore.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the FDA seized 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth Rs 20.20 lakh from M/s Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor for Patanjali Ayurved. The agency stated the stock was suspected of adulteration and misbranding, appearing to violate the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The FDA also suspended licences for manufacturing units making spices, sweets, and namkeen in Mumbai, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar due to hygiene and safety violations. These establishments were found lacking proper pest control, cleaning records, and mandatory documentation.
Other seizures included 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi and 20,560 kg of various food items from Amin Traders in Satara. Between October 28 and 31, the agency seized banned food articles worth Rs 79.40 lakh from 17 establishments.
Additionally, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services, and Flipkart India regarding the labelling of Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder. These companies must submit explanations within 30 days.