Pune: 2,000 Caterers In Pimpri Chinchwad, Only 215 Registered With FDA To Prepare Ganeshotsav Mahaprasad

Pimpri Chinchwad, 22nd September 2026: With thousands of devotees expected to be served Mahaprasad during Ganeshotsav, concerns have been raised over food safety after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that only 215 caterers in Pimpri Chinchwad have officially registered to prepare the food.

The city has an estimated 2,000 caterers and cooks, but the low number of registrations has raised questions about the safety of food being distributed free of cost to devotees during the festival.

The FDA had initiated the registration process to ensure that caterers preparing Mahaprasad comply with food safety norms. A valid FSSAI registration or licence has been made mandatory for caterers supplying Mahaprasad to Ganesh mandals.

The FDA has deployed flying squads to inspect food preparations. Officials said action would be taken if unhygienic conditions are found or Mahaprasad is prepared without the required licence.

There are 2,352 registered Ganesh mandals under the Pimpri Chinchwad police commissionerate and 251 mandals registered with the municipal corporation. Despite this, thousands of small caterers and businesses preparing modaks and other prasad items have not registered with the FDA.

The FDA has urged Ganesh mandals to engage only caterers with valid FSSAI registration or licences. Officials warned that mandals could also face action if they engage unlicensed caterers to prepare Mahaprasad.

Public Ganesh mandals generally organise Mahaprasad and food distribution a day before immersion processions. Some larger mandals also conduct food distribution during Maghi Ganeshotsav and Angarki Chaturthi, while several organise the traditional food donation on the seventh day of Ganeshotsav.