The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration suspended 43 food business licences across seven divisions. Led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, officials conducted a special festive enforcement drive on November 6 and 7.
During the inspections, officers targeted 73 establishments preparing or selling traditional holiday foods. Authorities focused on sweets, khoya, paneer, farsan, dry fruits, edible oil, and common Diwali snacks.
Inspectors also scrutinised local canteens, grocery stores, hotels, clubs, catering businesses, and e-commerce platforms. Officials seized 17,824 kilograms of food articles valued at Rs 63.09 lakh from 29 establishments.
The team destroyed perishable food items hazardous to public health on the spot before witnesses. Nagpur division recorded 18 licence suspensions, marking the highest count among all seven divisions.
Nashik division registered nine suspensions during the two-day drive. Greater Mumbai recorded five licence suspensions, while Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Amravati recorded three suspensions each.
Konkan division reported two licence suspensions. Inspectors discovered severe food safety violations, including unhygienic manufacturing practices, improper storage, missing window wire meshes, poor pest control, and incomplete safety records.
Several businesses failed to produce required water test reports, staff medical certificates, or official purchase bills. Officials suspended the licence of Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, operating Blinkit in Wardha.
The enforcement squad suspended the licence of Mumbai’s Orient Club during the checks. Authorities penalized sweet shops and food outlets across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Pune, and Nagpur.
Highway officers intercepted two vehicles transporting food articles and seized 3,935 kilograms of khoya and sweets. In Mumbai, the department recovered Rs 70,000 in fines across five specific cases.
Legal officers registered those five cases under the Food Safety and Standards Act in Borivali and Bhandup. Finally, enforcement officers collected 10 food samples for mandatory laboratory testing and analysis.
The Food and Drug Administration maintains strict vigilance across Maharashtra to prevent adulteration during peak festival sales. Officials plan additional surprise raids throughout the ongoing holiday season.
Citizens must report substandard food items or unsafe handling directly to local food safety officers. The department guarantees immediate investigation into valid consumer complaints regarding adulterated products.
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