Maharashtra FDA Seizes Rs 9.01 Crore Food Stock, Suspends 19 Licenses

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licenses of 19 food business operators and confiscated food articles valued at over Rs 9 crore during a special festive-season drive. In an official statement issued on Monday, the FDA announced it seized approximately 3.53 lakh kg of various food items worth Rs 9.01 crore from 114 establishments across seven divisions of Maharashtra as part of the campaign.

Among the seized stock was 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee, with an estimated value of Rs 20.20 lakh. This particular seizure occurred at Ms Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, due to suspicions of misbranding and adulteration. The FDA specified that 4,032 units of the ghee were impounded, comprising 2,998 units (1,349.1 litres) valued at Rs 12.29 lakh, and an additional 1,034 units (930.6 litres) worth Rs 7.91 lakh. The agency stated that this stock was "prima facie found to be in contravention of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006."

The suspended licenses and registrations affected a range of establishments, including namkeen, sweetmeat, and spice manufacturing units situated in the Mumbai, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions. The FDA cited "serious hygiene deficiencies and violations of food safety regulations" as the reasons for these actions. Specific issues included operating in unhygienic conditions, improper food storage, absence of pest control and cleaning records, failure to maintain mandatory documentation, and non-compliance with prescribed safety standards.

The festive-season drive also led to other significant seizures, such as 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district. Additionally, 20,560 kg of rice, pulses, jaggery, and other food articles were seized from Amin Traders in Satara. In the Pune division, edible oil was confiscated from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur. Furthermore, between October 28 and 31, banned food articles worth Rs 79.40 lakh were seized from 17 establishments, resulting in 13 FIRs being registered, 16 persons arrested, seven establishments sealed, and six vehicles impounded. The agency also inspected 34 hotels, restaurants, and dhabas across Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur divisions, issuing 29 improvement notices for various food safety and hygiene deficiencies. The FDA confirmed that all actions were taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Separately, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services, and Flipkart India concerning alleged violations in the labeling and advertising of Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder, requiring explanations within 30 days.

Editor's note: Comprehensive coverage of the FDA's enforcement actions, including specific figures and company names.