Amid increasing demand for food items during Diwali and other festivals, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra has launched a statewide campaign against adulteration, unhygienic conditions and violation of food safety norms. In this action, the department has seized goods worth a total of Rs 12.74 crore. Also, licenses or registrations of 68 establishments violating the rules have been suspended and seven establishments have been ordered to be closed. 22 FIRs have also been registered in cases related to banned gutkha, pan masala and flavored tobacco.
The campaign, led by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, aims to ensure availability of safe and prescribed quality food items in the market during festivals. The department inspected establishments involved in the manufacturing, storage, transportation and sale of food products.
Goods worth Rs 12.74 crore seized
In the action of the department, a large consignment of food products suspected to be adulterated, of poor quality and wrongly labelled, was seized. According to officials, around 3,74,752 kg of food items and 28,297 liters of products were seized, estimated to be worth Rs 9.11 crore.
Apart from this, 8,392 kg of expired, spoiled or already rejected food items were also seized. Its price is said to be around Rs 48.09 lakh. The officials also seized about 1,97,480 kg of food stock from two cold storages, estimated to be worth Rs 4.19 crore. The department is also investigating how some food items meant for destruction reached the market again.
Licenses of 68 establishments suspended
Several violations related to food safety and hygiene were revealed during the statewide inspection. These included deficiencies like dirty kitchen and drainage system, presence of cockroaches and rats, mixing of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items and use of unauthorized food colours.
On the basis of these violations, licenses or registrations of 68 establishments were suspended. Orders to close business were also issued to seven establishments. A total fine of Rs 1.30 lakh was collected from four establishments under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Action on banned gutkha and tobacco also
In the FDA campaign, action was also taken against the sale and transportation of banned gutkha, pan masala and flavored tobacco. The officials seized contraband goods worth around Rs 3.15 crore, including vehicles. In these cases, 22 FIRs were registered and 20 people were arrested. A large consignment of banned products was seized in Palghar, while action was also taken in Jalna, Mumbai, Nashik and Dharashiv. The department clarified that action will be taken as per law against those involved in manufacturing, storing and transporting banned products.
Emphasis on testing sweets, milk and edible oil during festivals
The demand for sweets, khoya, milk, ghee, cheese, edible oil and other products increases during festivals. During this period, the possibility of adulteration and quality related violations also increases. Therefore, FDA has intensified monitoring of production units, wholesale markets, warehouses and cold storage.
Under the scheme of the department, before the festivals, products and areas at risk are identified, samples are tested and necessary legal action is taken. Markets are monitored and spot checked during festivals, while further action is taken later on the basis of laboratory reports.