After Pune Hooch Tragedy, FDA Acts Against 43 Methanol Firms; Cancels 15 Licences, Suspends 28
Pune, 22nd October 2026: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the licences of 15 companies and suspended those of 28 others in Pune division following an inspection drive launched after a hooch tragedy in Pune claimed 19 lives.
The FDA inspected all 102 licensed methanol-related companies in the division as part of a statewide crackdown on firms involved in the storage, sale and handling of methanol. The Pune division has the highest number of methanol-related companies in Maharashtra, prompting the administration to intensify inspections over the past four months.
The FDA said the drive was aimed at ensuring compliance with existing regulations and preventing the misuse of methanol. Officials clarified that licence cancellation and suspension are separate administrative actions, and further details on the specific grounds for these actions would need to be obtained from the concerned department.
Officials said regulations governing methanol storage, purchase, sale and handling were already in place. Rather than introducing new rules, the FDA is focusing on enforcing existing provisions and taking action against companies found violating them.
Girish Hukare, assistant commissioner of the FDA’s Pune division, said inspections and verification of the companies would continue. Although inspections of all 102 licensed entities have been completed, authorities will continue monitoring compliance and take action wherever violations are detected to prevent the misuse of methanol.
