Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) destroyed 218 kilograms of fake paneer along with 478 litres of substandard milk during intensive raids in Mumbai ahead of the festive season. The crackdown is part of the annual campaign “Tyohar Maharashtra Ka, Sankalp Khadya Suraksha Ka” running from August 11 to October 25, 2025, aimed at curbing food adulteration during Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, and Christmas.
FDA officials stressed zero tolerance for adulterated food and urged citizens to report violations via the helpline 1800-222-365 to safeguard public health.
Strict Inspections Targeting Food Safety During Festivals
The Maharashtra FDA has been conducting surprise checks across food establishments in Mumbai, inspecting sweet shops, dairy outlets, farsan vendors, and dry fruit sellers among others. So far, 42 inspections have led to the collection of 55 food samples for laboratory testing.
In a notable operation at Antop Hill, police teamed up with the FDA to seize 218 kg of unlabelled cheese analog being sold as paneer-an estimated value of ₹54,625-which was destroyed on the spot. Alongside this, 478 litres of poor-quality milk were confiscated from a dairy outlet in Dahisar.
Joint Commissioner (Food) Mangesh Mane emphasised, “Such pre-festival crackdowns are critical to protect consumers from harmful adulterated products during peak demand.” The campaign involves regular monitoring and enforcement to ensure food safety across Mumbai’s markets.
Festival Season Increases Risk of Food Adulteration
With festivals like Ganeshotsav, Navratri, Dussehra, and Diwali just around the corner, demand for sweets, dairy products, edible oils, and other festive foods naturally surges. Criminal networks take advantage of this spike, leading to an increased risk of adulterated or substandard food reaching consumers.
The Maharashtra FDA’s campaign seeks to proactively prevent this by intensifying inspections and consumer awareness initiatives. Past operations have uncovered adulteration in cheese, milk, sweets, and edible oils, prompting stricter penalties and licence suspensions for violators.
This year’s campaign also plans to deploy mobile food testing labs for rapid on-site analysis and extend surveillance to smaller towns and rural areas, reinforcing the state’s commitment to food integrity during festival seasons.
Food Adulteration: A Persistent Threat in Maharashtra
Beyond Mumbai, regions like Vidarbha have witnessed escalating cases of food adulteration, with seizures of fake sweets, oils, and spices revealing industrial-scale fraud. The FDA’s comprehensive surveillance also monitors the quality of imported and domestic food products entering the state, collaborating closely with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other agencies.
Mumbai’s crackdown is part of a broader effort to uphold stringent food safety standards, especially amid growing consumer concerns about health risks from adulterated foods. The FDA is enhancing capacity by signing MoUs to train officials and increase mobile testing resources, while the state prioritises public education to empower consumers in identifying counterfeit products.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Safeguarding food quality is a collective responsibility requiring vigilant regulation, ethical business conduct, and proactive citizen engagement. Maharashtra FDA’s ongoing crackdown exemplifies essential enforcement to deter adulteration that can endanger public health, especially during festivals when demand for food increases substantially.
However, enforcement alone is insufficient; consumers must remain alert and actively report suspicious products to authorities. Ethical food production and transparent practices are equally vital to rebuild trust in the food ecosystem.
