The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped up action against food safety violations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other parts of the state, seizing 1,394 kg of bananas worth Rs 67,814 at APMC Turbhe after a worker was found artificially ripening the fruit with an ethephon solution. In Mumbai, the FDA also took action against 11 hotels, restaurants, caterers and bakeries over food safety and hygiene violations, while prohibited food stock and vehicles worth about Rs 1.29 crore were seized in Mumbai and Palghar. In Solapur district, the administration reported two cases involving 16,730 litres of detergent-positive milk, with the milk destroyed and FIRs subsequently registered.

Bananas seized at APMC Turbhe

The Turbhe action was carried out on Monday after the FDA received information that fruits were being artificially ripened using chemicals.