Maharashtra Food Authority Cracks Down on Unsafe Vendors, Confiscates ₹63 Lakh in Goods

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken decisive action against unsafe food operators just before Diwali, suspending 43 licences and seizing food products worth roughly ₹63 lakh (about 17,824 kg).

The enforcement sweep spanned 6‑7 November and covered 73 sites in the state’s seven divisions: Greater Mumbai, Konkan, Nasik, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur and Amravati. The inspected categories ranged from sweet‑makers, khoya and paneer producers, farshan and Diwali snack manufacturers, to dry‑fruit traders, edible‑oil dealers, hotels, clubs, canteens, grocery shops, e‑commerce portals and catering outfits.

Nagpur recorded the highest number of licence suspensions at 18, followed by Nasik with nine. Greater Mumbai saw five licences withdrawn, while Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Amravati each had three licences revoked, and Konkan two.

Investigators cited numerous breaches: unsanitary production and storage, absent window grilles, insufficient pest‑control, and missing food‑safety management records. Several establishments also could not furnish water‑testing certificates, medical clearances for kitchen staff, or purchase invoices.

Among the penalised entities were Blink Commerce Private Limited, which operates the BlinkIt quick‑commerce service in Varda, and the Orient Club in Mumbai, whose licence was also cancelled. Further actions were directed at multiple sweet shops and eateries across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nasik, Pune and Nagpur.

Two highway trucks carrying food were stopped, leading to the seizure of 3,935 kg of khoya and assorted sweets. The department also levied fines amounting to ₹70,000 across five cases filed under the Food Safety and Standards Act in Borivali and Bhandup.

During the inspections, FDA officers collected ten food samples for laboratory analysis, reaffirming the state’s commitment to ensuring safe food consumption during the festive period.