Maharashtra FDA suspends licences of 105 food businesses ahead of Diwali
The crackdown included quick-commerce platforms Zepto and Blinkit and resulted in the seizure of food worth Rs 1.35 crore.
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licences of 105 food business operators across the state during a special inspection drive on November 4 and 5. According to India Today, the crackdown was conducted ahead of Diwali to ensure food safety and curb the sale of potentially unsafe or adulterated products.
The inspections targeted various establishments, including quick-commerce platforms Zepto and Blinkit, operated by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd. Other businesses facing action included Biryani By Kilo, Tossin Pizza in Worli, and Jumbo Burger. In Mumbai, 28 licences were suspended, while the Rajdhani Biryani Centre in Borivali was ordered to shut down for violating Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.
Officials seized 39,485 kg of food products, including sweets, ghee, paneer, and edible oils, valued at over Rs 1.35 crore from more than 69 establishments. In Nagpur, a D-Mart outlet on Kamthi Road had refined soybean oil seized for breaching licence conditions. The FDA also ordered the complete closure of seven establishments in Pune, Amravati, Mumbai, and the Konkan region.
The drive uncovered several violations, such as poor hygiene, improper storage, and the absence of mandatory records. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that the department would take strict action against businesses compromising public health. He noted that under current laws, selling unsafe food that results in a fatality can lead to life imprisonment and fines reaching Rs 10 lakh.