Maharashtra FDA Festive Crackdown: ₹9.01 Crore Worth of Food Items Seized Across 114 Locations, Patanjali Cow Ghee Worth ₹20.20 Lakh Confiscated; Licenses of 19 Traders Suspended

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra launched a special drive against adulterated and substandard food products ahead of the festive season. Under this campaign, approximately 3.53 lakh kilograms of food items valued at ₹9.01 crore were seized across 114 locations in the state. Spearheaded by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the crackdown also resulted in the suspension of licenses and registrations of 19 food business operators due to severe non-compliance with hygiene and food safety standards.

Action Against Patanjali Ghee

According to a report by the Indian Express, 2,279.7 liters of Patanjali cow ghee worth ₹20.20 lakh was seized from a distributor in Sundarwadi, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The department suspected mislabeling on the packaging and potential adulteration in the ghee. Earlier in July this year, the FDA had also seized medicines worth ₹51 lakh from Patanjali over claims of guaranteed cures.

Note: This action has been taken on grounds of suspicion. Adulteration will only be officially confirmed post laboratory testing.

What Was Seized?

Edible oils, spices, rice, pulses, jaggery, wheat flour, gram flour (besan), ghee, dairy products, sweets, savory snacks (namkeen), dry fruits, bakery products, and noodles.

Division-Wise Seizures

Konkan Division: 1.67 lakh kg of food items worth ₹5.27 crore seized from 22 establishments. This includes 1,44,218 kg of edible oil of various brands seized from Avenue Supermarts Limited in Bhiwandi, marking the single largest seizure location.

Pune: 66,709 kg worth ₹1.47 crore from 29 establishments.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: 33,679 kg worth ₹89.41 lakh from 22 establishments.

Nagpur: 37,414 kg worth ₹53.57 lakh from 20 establishments.

Licenses of 19 Traders Suspended

Licenses and registrations of sweet shops, snack units, and spice manufacturers in Greater Mumbai, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions were suspended or ordered for suspension. The inspections revealed the following violations:

Presence of pests, insects, and rodents on premises

Unhygienic conditions and open storage of food items

Improper storage of inventory

Absence of pest control records

Non-availability of medical fitness certificates for food handlers

Notices Issued to Hotels and Dhabas

Inspections were conducted across 34 hotels, restaurants, and roadside dhabas in Nasik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur divisions, resulting in 29 notices issued for deficiencies in hygiene and food safety compliance.

The drive was conducted throughout October across all seven divisions of the state, with inspections intensified between October 28 and October 31.