Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down on Food Safety Ahead of Diwali

Just as families across the state were polishing their diyas and planning festive feasts, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration rolled out an unexpected enforcement drive. Led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the agency swooped on 73 establishments on November 6‑7, covering everything from sweet shops and dairy units to hotel canteens and online‑order platforms.

By the end of the two‑day operation, 43 food‑business licences had been put on hold. The numbers weren’t uniform – Nagpur bore the brunt with 18 suspensions, Nashik followed with nine, while Mumbai, Pune, Sambhajinagar and Amravati each saw three, and Konkan two.

But it wasn’t just paperwork. Inspectors seized a staggering 17,824 kg of food articles – that’s roughly 18 tonnes – valued at Rs 63.09 lakh. The haul included piles of khoya, assorted sweets, dry fruits, edible oil and even packaged snacks destined for Diwali tables. In a dramatic moment, perishable items judged unsafe were destroyed on the spot, with witnesses standing by as the smoke rose.

What triggered such a heavy hand? The FDA’s report listed a litany of violations: filthy manufacturing zones, lack of wire mesh on windows (yes, those tiny holes that keep pests out), sloppy pest‑control records, and missing documentation like water‑analysis reports, medical certificates for food handlers and purchase bills. In short, many businesses were ignoring the very basics of food safety.

Among the names in the cross‑hairs was Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, the operator behind the quick‑commerce platform Blinkit, based out of Wardha. The agency also pulled the plug on Mumbai’s Orient Club licence and took action against several sweet‑shops and eateries scattered across the metropolis and its satellite towns.

Road‑side inspections weren’t left out either. Officials nabbed two trucks on the highway, confiscating 3,935 kg of khoya and sweets that were apparently being moved without proper clearance. A handful of cases (five, to be exact) saw penalties totalling Rs 70,000, lodged under the Food Safety and Standards Act in the Borivali and Bhandup zones of Mumbai.

To round off the sweep, ten food samples were collected for laboratory analysis – a reminder that the watchdog’s job doesn’t stop at paperwork; it’s about making sure what ends up on our plates is safe.

As Diwali lights begin to flicker across Maharashtra, the FDA’s crackdown serves as a stark warning: festive indulgence is welcome, but only when it’s prepared and sold under hygienic, legally compliant conditions.