The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licences or registration certificates of 30 food establishments and seized more than 50 tonnes of food stock worth ₹1.19 crore during a statewide enforcement drive ahead of the festive season.
The crackdown was carried out between September 23 and 27 across several regions of Maharashtra. According to the FDA, officials seized 50,601.78 kg of food products valued at ₹1,19,90,792. The seized stock included sweets, milk and milk products, edible oil, rice, dry fruits, namkeen, farsan, tea, spices, sauces, noodles and wafers.
30 Establishments Face Licence Action
The FDA suspended licences or registration certificates of 30 establishments across four regions. These included 13 establishments in Mumbai, six in the Konkan division, eight in the Pune division and three in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.
Officials reported several food safety and hygiene violations during inspections. These included pest infestation, improper food storage, inadequate segregation of raw and cooked food, faulty refrigeration and deficiencies in sanitation and pest-control measures.
Serious Violations Found During Inspections
In Mumbai, action was initiated against several establishments, including Kyani & Co, Colaba Sweet Mart, Arun Vilas Farsan, Ruchi Veg Restaurant, Daffodils Fast Food Inn and a Subway outlet.
At Kyani & Co in Kalbadevi, FDA officials reported finding cats, rat droppings, live flies and dead cockroaches in food preparation and storage areas. Officials also reported blood inside a refrigerator and an open sewage manhole in the processing area.
Action Across Maharashtra
The enforcement drive also covered food storage and distribution facilities. In the Konkan region, six establishments faced licence or registration action, while Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions also reported multiple violations.
The FDA said legal and corrective action was being taken against establishments found violating food safety and hygiene requirements. The department has also advised consumers to check food labels, manufacturing and expiry dates, and the FSSAI licence or registration of food businesses before purchasing food during the festive season.