Maharashtra FDA seizes ₹16.92 crore worth of goods and suspends 68 licences ahead of Diwali
The state Food and Drug Administration seized nearly ₹17 crore of adulterated and expired food, suspended licences of 68 establishments and arrested 20 people as part of a pre-Diwali enforcement drive.
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, led by director Tukaram Mundhe, has intensified inspections across the state in the run-up to Diwali. The operation, described as a "Festive Crackdown" campaign, resulted in the seizure of goods valued at ₹16.92 crore, the suspension of licences for 68 businesses and the closure of seven units. Authorities also registered 22 cases and arrested 20 individuals.
During the crackdown, officials confiscated 8,392 kg of expired, spoiled or rejected food items. The campaign covered all six FDA divisions – Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur – targeting sellers suspected of violating food-safety standards.
In the recent Navratri period, the department seized food stock worth ₹9.11 crore and seized tobacco-related products, including gutkha and pan masala, valued at ₹3.15 crore. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar accounted for the largest share of food-stock seizures, amounting to ₹4.19 crore.
A separate operation in Solapur Division intercepted a vehicle carrying about 1,337 kg of khoya on the Pune-Pandharpur road. The consignment, destined for wholesale and retail markets in Satara, was found to lack required compliance; the product was destroyed on site, with an estimated value of ₹4.81 lakh.
The FDA indicated that inspections will continue as demand for sweets, khoya, edible oils, dry fruits and ready-to-eat festive preparations rises. Businesses found in breach of food-safety regulations may face further licence suspensions, closure orders or prosecution.