The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has seized approximately 3.53 lakh kg of food products worth ₹9.01 crore from 114 establishments across seven divisions of the state during a special festive-season crackdown. The action included the seizure of 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth ₹20.20 lakh from the company’s super distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar over suspected misbranding and adulteration.
The department also suspended the licences and registrations of 19 food businesses over serious hygiene and regulatory violations. Between October 28 and 31, the wider enforcement drive resulted in 13 FIRs, 16 arrests and the sealing of seven establishments. Meanwhile, Patanjali Foods said samples from certain batches of its cow ghee had been collected for laboratory testing and that it had not received any authenticated report establishing a quality failure.
Patanjali Ghee Among Major Seizures
One of the significant findings involved M/s Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. FDA officials seized 4,032 units containing 2,279.7 litres of cow ghee, valued at ₹20.20 lakh, over suspicions of misbranding and adulteration. According to the department, the seized stock comprised two batches: 2,998 units containing 1,349.1 litres, valued at ₹12.29 lakh, and another 1,034 units containing 930.6 litres, worth ₹7.91 lakh.
The products were prima facie found to be in contravention of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The FDA also seized 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district. In Satara, 20,560 kg of rice, pulses, jaggery and other food articles were confiscated from Amin Traders. Additional edible oil stocks were seized from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur.
19 Food Businesses Face Action
The FDA suspended the licences and registrations of 19 establishments, including namkeen, sweetmeat and spice manufacturing units in Mumbai, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions. Inspections reportedly uncovered unhygienic working conditions, improper food storage, inadequate pest-control arrangements, missing cleaning records and failures to maintain mandatory food safety documentation.
The crackdown also extended to hotels, restaurants and roadside eateries. The department inspected 34 establishments across Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions and issued 29 improvement notices for food safety and hygiene deficiencies. Separately, between October 28 and 31, officials seized banned food articles worth ₹79.40 lakh from 17 establishments. The operation resulted in 13 FIRs, 16 arrests, seven establishments being sealed and six vehicles being seized.
Explaining the department’s broader approach to festive enforcement, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had earlier told PTI, “We are not regulating festivals; we are ensuring that food served at festivals – just as in weddings, bhandaras, Eid, Christmas, New Year’s Eve events and other gatherings – is safe and compliant with a law that has existed since 2011.” He said establishments complying with regulations would receive support, while those violating the rules would face strict action.
Consumers During Festive Season
The latest operation forms part of Maharashtra FDA’s year-round Festival Enforcement Calendar, introduced to prevent food adulteration during periods of increased demand for sweets, dairy products, edible oils and other essential food items. Rather than restricting celebrations, the initiative aims to ensure that food sold and served during festivals and public gatherings meets prescribed safety standards.
Meanwhile, Patanjali Foods Ltd said on November 3 that food safety officials had collected samples from certain batches of its Patanjali cow ghee for laboratory testing. The company stated that it had not received any authenticated report establishing that the products failed to meet prescribed quality standards. The laboratory testing process is therefore an important next step in determining whether the suspected violations are established.
The distinction is important: seizure on suspicion does not, by itself, establish that a product is adulterated. Laboratory findings and subsequent legal proceedings will determine the final position. The FDA has also urged food businesses to follow food safety regulations and consumers to purchase products from licensed outlets, check packaging details and avoid loose or unlabelled food items.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Food safety is not merely a regulatory responsibility; it is a matter of public health, consumer rights and trust. During festivals, when families purchase sweets, dairy products, edible oils and other food items in larger quantities, they should not have to worry about whether what reaches their dining tables is safe for consumption.
The Maharashtra FDA’s enforcement action is an important step towards strengthening accountability across the food supply chain. However, inspections and seizures must be accompanied by transparent laboratory testing, timely investigations and appropriate legal action wherever violations are established. Equally, businesses must be given a fair opportunity to respond to allegations, and consumers must have access to reliable information about the products they purchase.
A food safety system works best when regulators, manufacturers, distributors and consumers share responsibility. Do you think stricter inspections and greater transparency can help restore consumer confidence in India’s food industry?
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