Was food meant for destruction sold again? Maharashtra FDA probes supply chain, seizes stock worth Rs 12.74 crore

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA seized goods worth Rs 1274 crore during a statewide festiveseason crackdown including prohibited gutkha pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth Rs 2461 lakh in Mumbai and expired spoiled or rejected food stock worth Rs 4809 lakh in Thane district The statewide drive led to the suspension of 68 licences or registrations 22 FIRs and 20 arrests in cases involving prohibited productsSeven establishments were ordered to close while penalties totalling Rs 130 lakh were recovered from four establishmentsThe drive covered all seven FDA divisions in Maharashtra mdash Mumbai Konkan Pune Nashik Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Nagpur and Amravati mdash under the guidance of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe Inspections focused on food quality suspected adulteration incorrect labelling insanitary conditions and violations of food safety regulationsFDAs festive crackdown Key figuresThe FDA reported total seizures worth Rs 1274 crore during the drive These included 374762 kg and 28297 litres of substandard potentially adulterated or incorrectly labelled food stock estimated at Rs 911 crore Officials also seized 8392 kg of expired spoiled or rejected food worth Rs 4809 lakh while 197480 kg of stock worth Rs 419 crore was seized from two cold storagesProhibited gutkha pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth approximately Rs 315 crore was seized along with vehicles The department registered 22 FIRs and arrested 20 accused in cases involving these prohibited products Across the state 68 establishments had their licences or registrations suspended seven were ordered to close and penalties totalling Rs 130 lakh were recovered from four establishmentsFood meant for destruction allegedly returned to marketIn Thane and Pune districts the FDA conducted special inspections following suspicions that expired spoiled or rejected food earmarked for disposal was being brought back into the market instead of being destroyedThe inspections uncovered 8392 kg of such food stock with an estimated value of Rs 4809 lakhOfficials investigated the possible supply chain involving company warehouses disposal contractors unauthorised disposal centres intermediaries suppliers and retailers According to the FDA the companies inspected failed to provide a complete and verifiable trail establishing that the food stock intended for disposal had actually been destroyedFive licences were suspended in connection with these cases and criminal complaints were filed in the matters concerned Investigations into the allegations and the suspected supply chain are ongoingThe FDA stressed the need for a transparent and verifiable disposal mechanism to ensure that food declared unfit for sale does not reenter the supply chain and reach consumersRs 419 crore worth of stock seized from two cold storagesIn the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division officials seized approximately 197480 kg of stock valued at Rs 419 crore from two cold storages in a single day The seized goods included chilli powder raisins jaggery and pasteurised butter The licences of both cold storages were suspendedSeparately across Maharashtra officials seized or destroyed approximately 374762 kg and 28297 litres of substandard potentially adulterated or incorrectly labelled food stock estimated to be worth Rs 911 croreThe products included edible oils spices milk products sweets farsan tea dry fruits and other food articlesStatewide action against prohibited gutkha and tobaccoThe FDA seized prohibited gutkha pan masala and flavoured tobacco worth approximately Rs 315 crore along with vehicles during enforcement operations across Maharashtra A total of 22 FIRs were registered and 20 accused were arrested in these casesAt Manor in Palghar district officials seized prohibited stock from an Eicher truck on October 9 The FDAs press note lists the value of the seizure at Rs 151 crore and states that an FIR was registered at Manor police station with eight accused mentionedIn Jalna district an Eicher vehicle was intercepted near Chitali Putali Phata on October 18 with police assistance The seizure was valued at Rs 8335 lakhIn Mumbai officials seized prohibited products worth Rs 2461 lakh between October 13 and 21 registering four offences In the Malad case the department sought an investigation under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCAIn the Nashik division a seizure worth Rs 1940 lakh was recorded on October 11 resulting in one FIR and one arrest At Umarga in Dharashiv district officials seized goods worth Rs 1607 lakh from an Innova car on October 16 with two arrests reportedThe press note gives the value of the PalgharndashManor seizure as Rs 151 crore in its casewise details while the accompanying narrative describes the seizure at Manor as approximately Rs 130 crore The discrepancy requires clarification from the department68 licences suspended over hygiene and safety violationsInspections across the state revealed several lapses including unclean kitchens and drainage systems cockroach and rat infestations vegetarian and nonvegetarian food stored together the use of unauthorised food colours and the absence of mandatory medical certificates for staff handling foodThe FDA suspended the licences or registrations of 68 establishments for insanitary conditions and violations of food safety regulations Seven establishments were also directed to shut down their businessesIn addition penalties totalling Rs 130 lakh were recovered from four establishments under Section 69There will be no compromise on food safetyFDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the department would take strict action against food business operators found violating safety regulations particularly during the festive season when demand for food products risesldquoThere will be no compromise with food safety Food earmarked for disposal being brought back into the market is an extremely serious matter Every food business operator must discharge the responsibility of making safe food conforming to the prescribed standards available to consumersldquoDuring the festive season the demand for food articles rises Inspection of cold storages warehouses manufacturing units and food establishments will therefore continue Strict action will be taken as per law against those who gamble with the health of citizens and those who violate the regulationsrdquo Mundhe saidHow to report food safety violationsThe FDA has urged citizens to report suspected food adulteration unsafe food products and other violationsConsumers can contact the department through its tollfree helpline on 1800 22 2365 or lodge complaints online at complaintsmahafdainThe department has appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious food products to help prevent unsafe items from reaching the market