The department inspected thousands of establishments and suspended 954 licences during a statewide enforcement drive ahead of Diwali.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 3,098 tonnes of food products valued at approximately Rs 63.45 crore during a statewide enforcement drive between September 1 and November 3, according to reports by India TV and The Hindu.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that officials inspected 9,637 food establishments, issued 4,607 improvement notices, suspended 954 licences, and cancelled 25 licences. The department also collected 8,835 food samples for testing.
A special drive conducted from October 15 to November 3 focused on the Diwali period. During this specific window, officials inspected 3,336 establishments, resulting in the seizure of 1,886 tonnes of food worth about Rs 44.37 crore.
Major seizures included spices and spice products worth more than Rs 21 crore, cooking oil worth over Rs 16 crore, and dairy products such as ghee, khoya, and mawa valued at Rs 7.63 crore. The Konkan division recorded the highest seizure value at Rs 21.17 crore.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the FDA seized 2,279 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth around Rs 20 lakh from a distributor on suspicion of misbranding and adulteration, according to Telangana Today.
The FDA has advised consumers to buy sweets that can be consumed within two days and to avoid purchasing unlabeled or loose items like khoya, mawa, and paneer.
