Pune: FDA Cracks Down on Banned Gutka, Adulterated Food; 14 Arrested Across Western Maharashtra

Pune, 4th June 2026: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has arrested 14 people and seized food products and banned substances worth Rs 31.8 lakh during a two-day enforcement drive across Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Akluj and Sangli. The action targeted the sale of prohibited gutka, paan masala and areca nuts, as well as suspected adulterated and misbranded food products.

According to FDA officials, several establishments were found operating without mandatory licences, while others were allegedly selling mislabelled products and using reused containers for food items. Samples collected during the raids have been sent for laboratory analysis.

Digambar Bhogawade, Joint Commissioner (Food), FDA Pune division, said FIRs have been registered against the 14 accused under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act. “Those found possessing or selling prohibited products have been booked. Action has also been initiated against units involved in food adulteration, misbranding and other violations,” he said.

During inspections in Pune, FDA officials seized large quantities of dairy products, including paneer suspected to be adulterated, from establishments in Kharadi. Raids were also conducted at dairies in Wadgaon Sheri and Kharadi, where samples of ghee, paneer and other products were collected for testing.

As part of a special drive in Ambegaon and Khed talukas, officials seized banned gutka, paan masala, areca nuts and other food products from multiple locations, including a warehouse in Manchar. Stocks of refined flour, gram flour, wheat flour and other food items weighing nearly 20,000 kg and valued at Rs 10.5 lakh were also seized on suspicion of food safety violations.

In Khed taluka, nearly 19,000 kg of areca nuts worth Rs 8.2 lakh were confiscated from an unlicensed establishment in Khalchi Bhamburwadi. FDA teams also seized stocks of soybean and palmolein edible oils from a commercial unit in Uruli Kanchan.