Maharashtra FDA suspends 105 food business licences in Diwali crackdown
The agency seized nearly 39.5 tonnes of food products worth Rs 1.35 crore during a two-day inspection drive.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licences of 105 food businesses across the state during a two-day crackdown on November 4 and 5, according to reports by Moneycontrol and Urban Acres. The agency seized approximately 39,485 kg of food articles worth Rs 1.35 crore, including mawa, paneer, ghee, edible oils, and sweets.
During the inspections, the FDA ordered seven establishments to shut operations. These included Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Borivali, which violated FSSAI regulations, and Aaradhana Dryfruit Sweets in Bhiwandi, which was manufacturing without a valid licence. Other closures included Jay Gajanan Farsan in Washim, Laxmi Bikaner in Amravati, and three units in Pune: Shree Ganesh Ladduwale, Pournima Sweets, and Sirvi Sweets.
The drive targeted various sectors, including quick-commerce platforms and popular food chains. In Mumbai, the licences of Zepto in Worli and Blinkit were suspended, while Biryani By Kilo, Tossin Pizza, and Jumbo Burger also faced action. A D-Mart outlet on Kamthi Road in Nagpur faced action after refined soybean oil was seized for breaching licence conditions.
Inspectors identified several violations, such as unhygienic manufacturing and storage, improper food handling, inadequate pest control, and the absence of temperature-control arrangements. The Nashik division recorded 39 licence suspensions, followed by 28 in Mumbai, 20 in Pune, and 15 in Amravati.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned that businesses risking public health will face strict action. He noted that the law includes provisions for fines of Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment for selling unsafe food that causes death, according to NDTV.