Pune Food Safety Crackdown: FDA Suspends 12 Licences, Seizes 198 Kg Mitha Mawa
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 10th August 2026: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences or registrations of 12 hotels, restaurants and bakeries in Pune and Sangli districts for alleged violations of food-safety and hygiene regulations. In a separate operation, officials seized 198 kg of mitha mawa valued at ₹1.44 lakh in Pune.
The action was taken during a special inspection drive conducted on August 9 and 10 under the state government’s “Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra” campaign. The inspections were carried out on the instructions of Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Officials reportedly found unhygienic conditions, improper storage of food and non-compliance with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act at the 12 establishments. Their licences or registrations were consequently suspended with immediate effect.
The establishments include six businesses in Pune district—the Lotus Resort in Morave near Lonavala, The Masala Foods Bakery in Vishrantwadi, Huma Bakery in Pimpri-Chinchwad, New Maharashtra Bakers in Ambegaon Budruk, Marrakesh Ventures Private Limited in Sahakar Nagar and Fiesta Infinity Private Limited in Karve Nagar.
Six establishments in Sangli district were also penalised: Shrikrishna Kirana Stores in Sakharale, Hotel Manjur in Tasgaon, Hotel Royal Sagar Beer Bar and Permit Room in Chinchani, Hotel GM in Palus, Bhosale Sarkar Chinese Centre in Palus and Hotel The Master Chef in Miraj.
“Inspections of hotels, restaurants and bakeries have been intensified on the instructions of the Food Safety Commissioner. Immediate action is being taken against establishments that fail to comply with hygiene and food-safety requirements,” said D. V. Bhogawade, Assistant Commissioner (Food), FDA, Pune Division.
Bhogawade said food businesses must provide customers with clean drinking water free of charge, display food-grade information, avoid operating without a valid licence and refrain from reusing cooking oil. They must also display menu cards prominently and comply with all applicable food-safety regulations.
“Consumers may register complaints relating to food quality or hygiene through the administration’s toll-free number, 1800-222-365. The FDA will continue to take stringent action against violators,” Bhogawade added.
In a separate action on August 10, FDA officials and the Pune police’s Anti-Narcotics Cell inspected a private bus at Kondhwa. Officials allegedly found mitha mawa being transported for sale without the required food licence, refrigeration or adequate hygiene precautions.
The FDA collected samples for laboratory analysis and seized the entire 198-kg consignment, valued at ₹1,44,400.
The department also reported action against the sale of prohibited food products across the Pune division between August 1 and 9. Nineteen establishments were inspected and banned products worth approximately ₹41.39 lakh were seized. Cases were registered against those concerned, while 24 people were arrested.
As part of the crackdown, 14 establishments were sealed and four vehicles collectively valued at ₹14.90 lakh were seized, the FDA said.
