Maharashtra FDA seizes 3,958-kg school meal supplies in Junnar, trains 200 Pune meat sellers on food safety

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA has seized 39584 kg of food supplies meant for school meals under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana after an inspection found the stock being stored and distributed through an unlicensed warehouse in Junnar taluka Pune districtThe seized stock valued at Rs 107463 was found during a surprise inspection conducted by the FDAs Pune Division at Kalwadi in Junnar on August 21 a release issued by FDA chief Tukaram Mundhe statedAction follows complaint from Kalwadi sarpanchThe action followed an email complaint from the Sarpanch of Kalwadi Gram Panchayat regarding the school meal suppliesA team of food safety officers inspected a Tata 909 vehicle MH14DM9956 parked outside the Kalwadi Gram Panchayat officeAccording to the FDA release the inspection was carried out in the presence of the Extension Officer Education of the Junnar Panchayat SamitiOfficials found 13 different food items intended for distribution to schools The stock had been supplied by Chetan Transport of Walanwadi JunnarPulses rice spices among seized suppliesThe seized stock included chawali harbhara mung masoor dal and tur dal along with rice refined soybean oil turmeric powder chilli powder and soya chunksOfficials noted that most of the food items were being stored and transported in loose formStatutory samples were collected from the stock and sent for laboratory analysis Six additional samples including oniongarlic masala garam masala iodised salt cumin and mustard were also sent for general quality surveillance testingWarehouse found operating without FDA licenceDuring the investigation FDA officials traced the stock to a warehouse in WalanwadiVarulwadi Junnar which was allegedly operating without the required licence or registration under the Food Safety and Standards ActThe FDA has consequently prohibited further business operations at the warehouse and ordered a complete halt to the distribution of food stock found at both the warehouse and the vehicle until further ordersThe move is aimed at preventing potentially unsafe food supplies from reaching schoolsThe seized samples have been sent to a government laboratory for analysisThe FDA said further legal action would be initiated against those responsible based on the laboratory findingsThe administration has also warned that it will take strict action against unlicensed operators and suppliers found compromising food quality particularly in supplies intended for schoolchildrenFDA holds food safety workshop for 200 mutton chicken shop owners in PuneSeparately the FDAs Pune Division conducted a food safety guidance workshop for around 200 mutton and chicken shop owners in Bhavani Peth on August 27The programme was organised in association with the Shri Lakshmi Bazar Pratishthan Trust under the ongoing lsquoSurakshit Anna Surakshit Aushadh Surakshit Maharashtrarsquo campaignThe workshop was held at the Shri Lakshmi Bazar Cultural Hall at 1130 amMeat sellers briefed on hygiene and food safetyThe session focused on essential food safety practices for meat retailers including personal hygiene cleanliness of shop premises safe handling and storage of raw and cooked food temperature control access to clean water equipment sanitation waste disposal and pest controlOfficials also explained the licences and registrations required to legally operate food businesses and briefed participants on provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and related rules and regulationsThe FDA stressed that maintaining hygiene and following food safety norms are essential to ensure consumers receive safe and quality meat productsFDA officials address meat retailersD V Bhogawade and Narayan Sarkate Assistant Commissioners Food at the FDAs Pune office addressed the gatheringSatish Hake Food Safety Officer Pune briefed participants on key food safety requirements and legal provisions applicable to their businessesThe participating food business operators responded positively and expressed their commitment to maintaining hygiene and providing customers with safe and quality mutton and chickenThe FDA said such awareness programmes are aimed at strengthening food safety practices among food business operators and improving access to safe food for consumers