Maharashtra FDA Resolves 72% of Food Safety Complaints as AI Rejects 11,491 Invalid Submissions
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has resolved nearly 72% of the complaints received through its online grievance portal during its first three months of operation. Launched on July 14, 2026, the portal received 13,857 registered complaints, while an AI-powered screening system separately rejected 11,491 submissions considered invalid or outside the department’s jurisdiction.
According to the FDA’s performance report, the portal aims to make consumer grievance redressal faster and more transparent. It automatically assigns complaints to the concerned officers and escalates cases when action is not taken within the prescribed timeframe. During the three-month period, 4,068 complaints were escalated, triggering notices to the officials responsible for delays.
Food Hygiene and Product Quality Lead Complaints
Food safety remained the primary concern, with 13,017 registered complaints related to food and 840 concerning drugs.
Unhygienic manufacturing and storage conditions accounted for 4,052 complaints, making this the most frequently reported issue. Another 3,536 complaints involved foreign objects found in food products. Other reported concerns included substandard or unsafe packaged food, expired or spoiled products, and suspected food poisoning.
Pune recorded the highest number of complaints among the regions, with 4,519, followed by Greater Mumbai with 3,762 and the Konkan region with 2,551. The figures highlight the importance of maintaining food hygiene, proper storage practices and consistent quality checks across the supply chain.
AI Screening and Rising Quick-Commerce Concerns
The FDA’s AI-based screening mechanism evaluates submissions for missing information, misleading details and issues outside its jurisdiction. Complaints that do not meet the required criteria are rejected at the initial stage, with reasons communicated to the complainants.
The department has also observed a shift in complaint patterns. While hotels, restaurants and eateries initially attracted significant attention, complaints involving dark stores and quick-commerce platforms have increased. According to the FDA’s assessment, these businesses now account for nearly half of recent complaints, raising concerns about storage conditions, food handling and product quality.
What This Means for Food Businesses
The findings underline the need for food businesses to strengthen their food safety and quality management practices. Regular hygiene inspections, appropriate storage conditions, contamination prevention and laboratory testing can help identify potential risks before products reach consumers.
Food manufacturers, restaurants, retailers and quick-commerce operators should prioritise compliance with applicable food safety requirements and maintain documented quality-control procedures.
Scientific food testing and regular hygiene assessments can help businesses identify potential quality issues, support regulatory compliance and protect consumer confidence. Proactive prevention is essential for reducing food safety risks and maintaining brand reputation.
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