Maharashtra FDA seizes food products worth Rs 9 crore
The enforcement drive included the seizure of Patanjali cow ghee on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confiscated food items worth over Rs 9 crore during a state-wide crackdown to prevent food adulteration before Diwali, according to Telangana Today. Led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the operation spanned seven administrative divisions and included 114 food establishments.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, officials detained 2,279 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth approximately Rs 20 lakh. Authorities stated the stock was held under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, due to suspected adulteration and misbranding.
The largest single seizure occurred in the Konkan division, where more than 1.44 lakh kg of various edible oil brands were taken from a facility in Bhiwandi, Thane district. Other seized goods included rice, pulses, jaggery, and edible oils from Pune, Satara, Solapur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
A separate operation between October 28 and October 31 targeting banned products resulted in the seizure of goods worth Rs 79.4 lakh from 17 establishments. This parallel action led to 13 FIRs, 16 arrests, the sealing of seven establishments, and the seizure of six vehicles.
The FDA reported that inspections in Mumbai uncovered hygiene issues such as insect infestation, poor sanitation, and inadequate food storage. The department has advised consumers to buy only from licensed vendors and to check packaging, batch numbers, and expiry dates during the festive season.