The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out an extensive statewide enforcement drive on June 11 and 12, conducting 50 raids and seizing banned and unsafe food products worth more than Rs 3.67 crore, an official statement said.
The crackdown targeted the illegal sale, storage, transportation and distribution of prohibited products such as gutkha, pan masala and other food items, along with unsafe and unapproved food products.
As part of the operation, FDA officials arrested 17 individuals, sealed eight establishments and seized three vehicles allegedly involved in the illegal trade of banned food products.
Cases were registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act. Authorities seized prohibited food products worth more than Rs 18.71 lakh during these operations.
The action was carried out across Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur divisions.
Massive supari seizure in Nagpur
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, FDA teams in Nagpur seized nearly 85,000 kilograms of unsafe and unapproved supari stock from multiple locations.
Officials recovered 55,994 kg of supari worth Rs 83.99 lakh from three vehicles and 28,998 kg of supari worth Rs 1.11 crore from another location. The total seizure amounted to 84,992 kg of stock valued at Rs 1.95 crore.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe chaired a meeting with milk and dairy product manufacturers and processors across the state on June 12.
During the meeting, he warned that milk adulteration would not be tolerated and directed businesses to ensure the supply of safe and high-quality dairy products.
Mundhe said strict action would be taken against any manufacturer, distributor or seller found dealing in substandard or unsafe milk products. He also announced a special statewide inspection drive against milk adulteration.
Food safety campaign expanded
Apart from gutkha-related action, FDA teams conducted 35 inspections involving products such as supari, edible oil, khoa, peda and ghee.
The inspections resulted in the seizure of nearly 1.93 lakh kilograms of food stock worth approximately Rs 3.48 crore.
Division-wise Seizures
| Division | Establishments Inspected | Value of Seized Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 2 | Rs 71,950 |
| Konkan | 6 | Rs 31.53 lakh |
| Pune | 3 | Rs 68.89 lakh |
| Nashik | 14 | Rs 22.64 lakh |
| Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | 3 | Rs 70,104 |
| Nagpur | 5 | Rs 2.21 crore |
| Amravati | 2 | Rs 2.72 lakh |
| Total | 35 | Rs 3.48 crore |
MCOCA warning for repeat offenders
The FDA stated that organised networks involved in the illegal production, storage, transport and sale of banned gutkha, tobacco and nicotine-based food products could face action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Officials said repeat offenders and organised criminal groups would be dealt with strictly as part of the state`s intensified campaign against illegal food products.
Citizens asked to report suspected adulteration
The FDA has urged citizens to report suspected food adulteration or unsafe food products through:
- FoSCoS Portal
- Food Safety Connect App
-Toll-free helpline: 1800-222-365
Officials advised consumers to provide details such as the location of the establishment, nature of the suspected adulteration and contact information while filing complaints.
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