Maharashtra FDA Seizes Food Stock Worth Rs 63.45 Crore, Suspends 954 Licences During Festival Drive

Mumbai, 5th November 2026: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food stock worth ₹63.45 crore and suspended 954 food business licences and registrations across the state during a special enforcement drive conducted ahead of the Diwali festival.

According to the FDA, a total of 9,667 food establishments were inspected between September 1 and November 3, 2026. During this period, officials issued 4,603 improvement notices and initiated proceedings to cancel 25 licences and registrations. The department also collected 8,835 food samples and seized 3,098.46 metric tonnes of food products.

The special drive was conducted under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, covering the entire food supply chain, including manufacturing units, storage facilities, transportation, retail outlets, online food sellers, hotels and catering establishments.

Under the separate Diwali Special Drive conducted between October 15 and November 3, the FDA inspected 3,332 food establishments. Officials issued 1,501 improvement notices, suspended 326 licences and registrations, and initiated cancellation proceedings against 15 establishments. A total of 3,864 food samples were collected, while 1,886.44 metric tonnes of food stock worth ₹44.37 crore was seized.

Pune division records highest number of inspections

The Pune division recorded the highest number of inspections during the overall festival enforcement drive, with 2,540 establishments inspected. Officials issued 1,107 improvement notices, suspended 229 licences and registrations, and initiated cancellation proceedings against five establishments. A total of 2,333 food samples were collected, while 395.25 metric tonnes of food stock worth ₹10.39 crore was seized.

During the Diwali-specific drive, Pune division recorded 678 inspections, with 215 improvement notices issued and 52 licences suspended. Officials also collected 1,029 food samples and seized 319.17 metric tonnes of food stock worth approximately ₹7.53 crore.

Edible oil, spices account for major seizures

The FDA’s commodity-wise data showed that edible oils and salt, spices and condiments accounted for a significant share of the seized food stock during the overall drive.

Edible oil seizures amounted to 925.11 metric tonnes, valued at ₹16.31 crore, while 895.32 metric tonnes of salt, spices and condiments worth ₹21.09 crore were seized.

The department also seized 171.57 metric tonnes of milk products, including ghee and khava, valued at ₹7.63 crore. Dry fruits weighing 156.66 metric tonnes and worth ₹7.47 crore were also seized. Seizures included 59.78 metric tonnes of sweets worth ₹1.36 crore.

Focus on khava, sweets and online food deliveries

The FDA said special surveillance was being carried out on the transportation of khava and mawa arriving from other states, given the increased demand for milk-based sweets during Diwali.

Inspection teams were directed to monitor 19 food-related sectors, including sweet shops, dairy products, ghee, edible oils, farsan, dry fruits, food colours, chocolates, bakeries, gift hampers, packaged food, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, quick-commerce services, hotels, caterers, street food vendors, fruit ripening units, packaged drinking water manufacturers and cold storage facilities.

The department also directed food delivery platforms and quick-commerce companies to ensure that listed sellers and warehouses have valid FSSAI licences. Food products delivered to consumers must have at least 30% of their shelf life or at least 45 days remaining before expiry, as applicable under FSSAI directions.

Strict action against food adulteration

Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned that strict action would be taken against establishments found violating food safety regulations.

Under Section 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, the sale of unsafe food can attract imprisonment, with provisions for imprisonment up to life and a minimum fine of ₹10 lakh if the offence results in death.

Operating a food business without a valid licence can attract imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh under Section 63. The FDA can also suspend or cancel licences under Section 32.

Mundhe said the objective of the drive was not to harass food business operators but to establish a culture of food safety and compliance. He added that the same rules would apply to both large brands and small businesses, and those endangering public health would face stringent action.

FDA issues food safety advisory to consumers

The FDA has advised citizens to purchase sweets, khava, ghee and other food products only from licensed or registered establishments. Consumers have been urged to check FSSAI licence numbers, expiry dates, manufacturing details and labels before purchasing packaged food.

The department has also cautioned against buying unusually cheap sweets and dry fruits, consuming unnaturally bright-coloured sweets, and purchasing loose edible oil from unverified sources.

Consumers have been advised to refrigerate milk-based sweets and consume them within a day or two. They should also check every individual product inside gift hampers for expiry dates and other mandatory labelling details.

For complaints regarding food quality or malpractice, citizens can contact the FDA’s toll-free helpline at 1800-222-2365.