Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it seized about 353,000 kg of food worth Rs 90.1 million (Rs 9.01 crore) in October as part of a festive-season campaign across the state.
The agency reported taking the goods from 114 establishments in seven divisions. It said inspections intensified from Oct. 28 to 31, and that the campaign aimed to protect food supplies during the festive season.
Among the larger seizures, the FDA reported taking 144,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd. in Bhiwandi. In Satara, the FDA took 20,560 kg of provisions from Amin Traders, including rice, pulses, jaggery and other food items.
The FDA cited suspected misbranding and adulteration in its action involving Patanjali cow ghee held by M/s Divya Mahavitarak in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which it identified as a Patanjali Ayurved super distributor. The stock totaled 4,032 units, or 2,279.7 liters, and was valued at Rs 2.02 million (Rs 20.20 lakh). Press Trust of India reported that the statement divided the stock into 2,998 units (1,349.1 liters, Rs 12.29 lakh) and 1,034 units (930.6 liters, Rs 7.91 lakh).
The FDA reported action affecting the licenses or registrations of 19 food businesses, citing serious hygiene and regulatory deficiencies. Reported problems included insect infestation, poor storage, uncovered food and gaps in records or worker fitness certificates. The agency also said it inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas in three divisions and issued 29 improvement notices over hygiene and food-safety deficiencies.
In a separate operation targeting banned food articles from Oct. 28 to 31, the FDA reported seizures worth Rs 7.94 million (Rs 79.40 lakh) at 17 establishments. It also reported 13 first information reports, 16 arrests, seven establishments sealed and six vehicles seized.
