The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its crackdown on food safety violations, destroying 564 litres of milk in Mumbai and seizing approximately 43.56 tonnes of food products across the state. The seized food stock, along with milk and ghee, was valued at around ₹1.56 crore.
The enforcement drive targeted products suspected of being adulterated, substandard or incorrectly labelled, alongside establishments allegedly violating food safety and hygiene regulations.
Seven Mumbai Food Establishments Face Action
The FDA suspended the licences or registrations of seven food establishments in Mumbai after inspections reportedly uncovered violations of food safety standards.
The establishments included Mumbai Darbar Family Restaurant in Lower Parel, Ottoman Cafe in Andheri West, Chacha Eagle Kulfi Falooda in Jogeshwari West, Bharat Canteen in Andheri West, Green Turtle Hospitality in Oshiwara, Atul Tiffin in Byculla and P. B. Enterprises in Sewri West.
Inspectors reported unhygienic kitchens and drainage systems, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, the use of unauthorised food colours and missing medical certificates for food handlers.
Why Did the FDA Destroy 564 Litres of Milk?
The FDA conducted inspections at dairies and milk-selling establishments in Govandi, Mankhurd, Antop Hill, Chembur, Dharavi and Mahim on October 23 and 24.
Officials destroyed 564 litres of milk during the operation. The action included suspected loose milk seized from local dairies, while samples were collected for laboratory testing.
At Sagar Milk Centre in Antop Hill, officials destroyed 250 litres of pasteurised, homogenised toned milk worth ₹11,625 because it was reportedly stored and sold in plastic bags and cans, contrary to prescribed storage requirements.
The department also initiated proceedings against establishments over hygiene violations and allegedly unlicensed operations. The action forms part of a broader effort to improve milk handling, storage and distribution practices.
Maharashtra Food Seizures Cross ₹1.5 Crore
The statewide drive covered several administrative divisions, with substantial quantities of food products seized.
The Konkan division recorded seizures of 9.99 tonnes worth ₹53.55 lakh. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division reported 26.84 tonnes of food products valued at ₹64 lakh.
In Pune, officials seized 2.11 tonnes of food items worth ₹7.93 lakh. The Nashik division reported seizures of 4,069 kg of food products and 62.2 litres of ghee worth ₹8.25 lakh, while Nagpur officials seized 883.3 kg of oil valued at ₹1.77 lakh.
The FDA also seized prohibited food products worth ₹19.56 lakh in Pune, ₹4.22 lakh in Mumbai and ₹19,090 in Nashik.
What This Means for Consumers
The crackdown highlights the importance of food hygiene, appropriate storage conditions, accurate labelling and compliance with food safety regulations. Consumers should purchase milk and other perishable products from reliable sellers and check packaging, storage conditions and expiry information where applicable.
The FDA has indicated that enforcement action will continue against establishments that violate prescribed standards.
Summary: Maharashtra’s FDA seized food products worth approximately ₹1.56 crore in a statewide enforcement drive and destroyed 564 litres of milk in Mumbai. Seven Mumbai food establishments faced licence or registration suspensions over reported hygiene and food safety violations. The inspections covered suspected adulteration, substandard products, incorrect labelling and improper storage, with further enforcement action expected.
