Pune: Chinese Food Quality, Ingredients Next on FDA’s Watchlist, Says Tukaram Mundhe
Pune, 8th August 2026: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe’s crackdown on adulterated food and illegal gutkha sales across Maharashtra has now turned the spotlight on Chinese food centres, with the department expected to step up inspections of street food outlets.
After conducting raids against milk adulteration, irregularities in sweets during festive periods and illegal gutkha sales, and seizing stock worth crores of rupees, the FDA is now planning to focus on the quality of food served at Chinese food stalls and eateries.
Speaking in an interview in Pune, Mundhe indicated that the FDA would soon examine the food quality and ingredients used at Chinese food carts operating in neighbourhoods and along streets. He said that he had eaten Chinese food for the first time at a roadside stall on Bapat Road or Pashan Road in Pune. Recalling the experience, Mundhe said he had not known much about Chinese food at the time and had only studied the India-China war.
Mundhe said Chinese street food has become increasingly popular and the FDA had received suggestions from citizens to also focus on such outlets following its major enforcement drives across the state over the past two months. The department will therefore pay particular attention to the quality of food and ingredients used at Chinese food centres, he said.
Complaints are often raised about excessive use of monosodium glutamate (MSG), commonly known as Ajinomoto, substandard or fake sauces, artificial colours and poor hygiene at Chinese food stalls and eateries. Mundhe’s remarks have raised the possibility of a state-wide inspection and enforcement drive targeting such outlets.
The FDA has also updated an AI-based online platform to make it easier for citizens to report adulterated food and spurious or substandard medicines. Complaints can be submitted through the Maharashtra FDA’s online portal at complaints.mahafda.in.
