The regulator ordered seven establishments to shut down following a two-day special campaign conducted ahead of Diwali.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended 105 food business licences and ordered seven establishments to close following a special inspection campaign on November 4 and 5, according to reports by Urban Acres, India Today and The Federal.
The inspections, conducted ahead of Diwali, targeted various food businesses including quick-commerce platforms Blink Commerce Private Limited and Zepto Limited in Mumbai. The suspended licences include 39 in the Nashik division, 28 in Mumbai, 20 in Pune, 15 in Amravati, two in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and one in Thane.
The regulator found several violations, such as poor hygiene during manufacturing and storage, improper packaging, inadequate pest control, lack of temperature management, and missing required documentation. Seven establishments were ordered to cease operations, including three in Pune, two in Amravati, and one each in Mumbai and the Konkan division.
During the drive, officials seized 39,485.42 kg of food items, such as paneer, ghee, mawa, and edible oil, valued at approximately Rs 1.35 crore from more than 70 establishments. The Pune division saw the largest seizure, with food articles worth Rs 49.36 lakh weighing 14,429.7 kg.
Authorities also seized banned gutkha and pan masala worth Rs 7.96 lakh from three locations. This resulted in three FIRs being registered, two people being arrested, two vehicles being seized, and two establishments being sealed.
