Pune FDA Seizes Adulterated Food Worth Rs 56.36 Lakh, Banned Gutkha Worth Rs 20.26 Lakh in Festive Drive

Pune, 18th September 2026: The Food and Drug Administration’s Pune division has intensified its festive-season enforcement campaign, seizing suspected adulterated or misbranded food products worth ₹56,36,366 from 12 establishments across western Maharashtra.

The inspections were conducted between September 10 and 15 under the Maharashtra FDA’s “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign. The operation covered establishments in Pune, Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli districts. Samples collected during the raids have been sent to laboratories, and further action will be taken after the analysis reports are received.

In a parallel drive against prohibited food products, FDA teams inspected 14 locations and seized banned gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco worth ₹20,26,096. Taken together, the two operations resulted in the confiscation of food and tobacco-related products valued at more than ₹76.62 lakh.

Cooking butter accounts for biggest seizure
The largest seizure was reported at Deccan Cold Storage India Pvt. Ltd. in Kelwade, Bhor taluka, where officials confiscated 8,919 kg of pasteurised cooking butter valued at ₹41,56,254. The stock was seized over suspected adulteration and deficiencies in product labelling.

At Creamy Delight in Patas, Daund, FDA officers seized 1,519 kg of cow-milk products, butter and skimmed milk powder worth ₹8,50,702.

At Jawaharlal Bothra & Brothers in Pune’s Market Yard, Gultekdi, officials confiscated 1,835 kg of chemical-free jaggery and gold jaggery worth ₹1,76,760. The action followed suspicions of adulteration, misleading claims and labelling violations.

The other seizures included:

Adarsh Enterprises, Gokul Nagar, Kondhwa Budruk, Pune:
A total of 35 kg of fat spread and margarine worth ₹36,880 was seized over labelling deficiencies and allegedly misleading declarations.
Mahaveer Dairy, Manchar, Ambegaon:
Officials seized 164 kg of khoya, paneer and ghee worth ₹52,840.
Amar Sweet, Hadapsar:
About 74 kg of khoya worth ₹22,200 was confiscated on suspicion of adulteration. As the seized product was perishable and found unfit for storage, it was subsequently destroyed.
Chaitanya Sweet, Shewalewadi, Hadapsar:
Officials seized 39 kg of barfi worth ₹23,400. The perishable stock was later destroyed.
Action in Kolhapur, Satara and Sangli
In Kolhapur district, the FDA inspected Shivaratna Milk & Milk Agro Product at Takawade in Shirol taluka and seized 208 kg of halwa and rabadi valued at ₹51,540.

At Kolhapur Milk and Bakers in Shahunagar Bhaji Mandai, officials confiscated 94 kg of paneer and shrikhand worth ₹23,950 over suspected adulteration and labelling violations.

In another Kolhapur operation, FDA officers intercepted a vehicle carrying products belonging to Amawa Milk and Milk Products of Akiwat, Shirol. They seized 758 kg of gulab jamun special mix worth ₹1,66,760. The action was taken over alleged non-compliance with temperature-controlled storage requirements, along with suspected adulteration and labelling deficiencies.

In Satara district, Agarwal Sweets at Lonand in Khandala taluka was inspected, leading to the seizure of 112 kg of khoya, malai modak and kesar modak worth ₹54,480.

In Sangli district, officers raided Nilesh Vegetable Fruits & Bakers at Tandulwadi in Walwa taluka, confiscating 87 kg of farsan, malai modak and boondi worth ₹20,600.

The value of the products seized in these 12 cases totalled ₹56,36,366, according to the FDA. The seizures were precautionary, and the allegations of adulteration will be determined through laboratory testing.

Licences of sweet shops suspended
As part of the same special campaign, the FDA suspended the food licences or registrations of six sweet shops after inspections allegedly revealed serious violations of food-safety regulations and widespread unhygienic conditions.

The establishments included:

Raj Sweets, Hadapsar
Chaitanya Sweet, Shewalewadi, Hadapsar
Jaslok Sweet, Mohammadwadi, Hadapsar
Tulsi Sweet, Gadital, Hadapsar
Amar Sweet, Hadapsar
New Poonam Sweet, Nirman Plaza, Shirur
According to the department, the inspections revealed substantial violations of requirements under Schedule 4 of food-safety regulations. Their licences were suspended with immediate effect in the interest of public health.

New Poona Club among businesses facing action
Licences or registrations of eight other food establishments—including hotels, restaurants, bakeries and food businesses—were also suspended. These included The New Poona Club Ltd. in Camp, Pune; Swinsta Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. in Fatimanagar-Wanowrie; New Diamond Bakery in Kausarbaug, Kondhwa; Adarsh Enterprises in Kondhwa Budruk; Hotel Malhar Wada on Gargoti Road in Kolhapur; Hotel Sahyadri Restaurant and Family Restaurant in Dhuldev, Satara; a student eatery at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Solapur; and Tanveer Kirana Stores at Modnimb in Solapur district.

At The New Poona Club, officials reported major hygiene violations, including the alleged presence of cockroaches and other insects. The establishment’s food licence was suspended immediately on public-health grounds.

Nine premises sealed in banned-products drive
In its separate operation against prohibited food products, the FDA confiscated gutkha, pan masala and scented tobacco worth ₹20,26,096 from 14 locations.

The department said:

14 first information reports were registered;
nine establishments were sealed;
three vehicles valued at ₹25.50 lakh were confiscated; and
15 people were arrested.
Cases were registered against the parties concerned under applicable legal provisions.

Consumers urged to check labels
The FDA said demand for khoya, mawa, sweets, milk products and other food items rises significantly during festivals, increasing the risk of adulteration and the use of substitutes such as vegetable fat.

Consumers have been advised to examine product labels, manufacturing and expiry dates, ingredient declarations and storage conditions before buying packaged food. They should avoid products that appear stale, discoloured, improperly stored or inadequately labelled.

Complaints concerning food quality, adulteration or unhygienic conditions can be reported to the FDA through its toll-free helpline, 1800-222-365.

FDA officials warned that inspections would continue throughout the festive season and that strict action would be taken against businesses compromising food safety. Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said violations that put consumers’ health at risk would not be tolerated.