Maharashtra FDA crackdown: Gutkha worth Rs 31.83 lakh seized in Nagpur, seven arrested

In continuation to the crackdown on banned food products Tukaram Mundheled Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA seized banned stock worth Rs 3183 lakh in the Nagpur division and also made seven arrests an official statement said on WednesdayIt said that the Nagpur division of the FDA conducted an inspection drive on September 21 and 22 targeting the illegal sale storage and transportation of banned products including gutkha pan masala scented tobacco and scented supariFDA arrests seven gutkha worth Rs 3183 lakh seized in NagpurDuring the drive eight establishments were inspected and banned food products were found at seven locations The FDA seized banned stock worth Rs 3183222 along with three vehicles used for transportation collectively valued at Rs 1960 lakh Seven FIRs were registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and seven people were arrestedFDA suspends food licence of Laxmi Farsan in MumbaiThe FDA inspection of Laxmi Farsan Shop Nos 1 and 2 Patel Chowk Ghatkopar East on Tuesday The food regulator during the inspection found several food safety and storage violationsAs per FDA the premises had pest activity while the FIFO First In First Out method was not being followed for food storageThe officials also found that food and nonfood items were not being stored separately in a proper manner Acting on the violations the FDA has suspended the food licence of this Mumbaibased establishmentHighlighting a separate action taken by them in Mumbai the Maharashtra FDA in the official press note said ldquoFDA has seized banned food stock worth Rs 248500 during the inspection of one establishment In this regard under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 a First Information Report FIR has been registered at the concerned police station against the said establishment for violating the rules and 2 persons have been arrestedrdquoMajor crackdown across Maharashtra by FDAIn view of Maharashtra FDArsquos festive crackdown the food regulator also uncovered food safety violations across several parts of MaharashtraIn Nagpur and Gadchiroli the FDA seized refined soybean oil after finding that old and used tins were being reused for packing the productAt Anisha Industries and Marketing in Gadchiroli 2801 kg of refined soybean oil worth Rs 518 lakh was seized while 1393 kg of soybean oil worth Rs 260 lakh was seized from New Harjeet Provisions in GadchiroliFood stock worth Rs 2537 lakh seized in NashikThe FDA also seized 20300 kg of bhagar or barnyard millet worth Rs 2537 lakh from V H Enterprises in Nashik after it was found to be substandard The department said the packets lacked mandatory labeling information such as the product name manufacturing date expiry date and FSSAI registration number The stock was also reportedly stored in unhygienic conditions exposing it to possible contamination from dust and insectsIn another action in Nashik the FDA seized 5000 kg of sweets being transported in a passenger bus travelling from Ahmedabad to Akola Officials said the sweets were stored in extremely unhygienic conditions and did not meet required safety standards The entire stock was seized over concerns about its quality and possible adulterationBakery products worth Rs 1587 lakh seized in BhiwandiAs per the official statement the FDA seized 416486 kg of various bakery and food products worth Rs 1587 lakh from B J R Super Foods in Bhiwandi over suspected violations of labelling rules and concerns regarding substandard foodThe seized stock included eggless cake mixes baking powder corn flour instant mixes custard powder drink mixes food flavours food colours and other productsMajor crackdown on milk productsThe FDAs crackdown extended to milk and milk products as well In Pune the FDA seized 8 kg of malai modak and 3 kg of kalakand from Laxmi Sweets 175 kg of ghee from Agarwal Dairy 225 kg of khoa and 130 kg of mediumfat paneer from Om Trading Company and 18 kg of lowfat paneer from New Laxmi Sweets over various alleged licensing labelling quality and hygiene violationsIn Thane district the FDA seized 9 kg of paneer from Shri Samarth Dairy in Badlapur and 78 litres of raw buffalo milk from Akash Dairy in Diva where legal action was also initiatedThe FDA said enforcement action would continue against businesses found selling or storing expired tampered unsafe or banned food products