Maharashtra FDA seizes food products worth Rs 9.01 crore in statewide drive
The crackdown included the seizure of 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee and 4,002 kg of sweets in Mumbai.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized food products valued at Rs 9.01 crore during a special statewide inspection drive conducted between October 28 and 31, according to WION. The campaign, aimed at ensuring food safety ahead of the Diwali festive season, involved inspections across seven divisions and 114 establishments.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, officials recovered 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth Rs 20.20 lakh from a super distributor, M/s Divya Mahavitarak. The seizure was based on suspected misbranding and adulteration. In Mumbai, the FDA intercepted a luxury bus in the Chembur area and seized 4,002 kg of sweets and halwa valued at approximately Rs 11.11 lakh, which were being transported in unhygienic, non-temperature-controlled conditions, Urban Acres reported.
Other major seizures included 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi and 20,560 kg of items such as jaggery, pulses, and rice from Amin Traders in Satara. Additional edible oil was also confiscated from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur.
The enforcement drive resulted in the suspension of 19 food business licences and the sealing of seven establishments. According to WION, the operation also led to 13 FIRs being registered and 16 people being arrested. The FDA has urged consumers to report any food quality concerns via its toll-free number or the Food and Drug Grievance Portal.