Maharashtra FDA suspends 25 food licences and seizes ₹1.73 crore of suspect food: what food businesses should learn
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken strong action against food businesses across the state. In a statewide enforcement drive, it suspended the licences of 25 food establishments and four units that make edible oil and spices.
Six Domino’s Pizza outlets in the Pune division were among the establishments affected. Action was also taken against outlets in Jalna and Parbhani, which fall under the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division.
Over 81,000 kg of food seized
During the drive, FDA officials seized about 81,330 kg of food products from 37 establishments across six divisions. The seized stock is valued at around ₹1.73 crore. It is suspected to be substandard, adulterated or wrongly labelled.
The products seized include:
- Edible oil
- Chilli powder and turmeric powder
- Areca nut and dry fruits
- Sabudana, bhagar and rajgira
- Tea powder and sweets
Samples have been sent to laboratories for analysis. The FDA has said that further legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 will follow once the test reports are received.
Licence suspensions by division
- Mumbai division: 7 establishments
- Konkan division: 2 establishments
- Pune division: 8 establishments
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division: 8 establishments
What inspectors found
The suspensions followed inspections that found violations of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011. Schedule 4 sets out the general hygiene and sanitary practices that food businesses must follow.
The violations reported include:
- Live cockroaches on the premises
- Fungal contamination
- Unclean utensils
- Improper storage of food
- Poor segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food
A sweet manufacturer in Mumbai was also issued a closure notice. Officials found problems with its manufacturing premises and hygiene.
What this means for food businesses
This drive is a clear reminder that regulators are watching closely. Many of these lapses are basic and preventable. A licence suspension can stop operations overnight and damage customer trust that took years to build.
Food business operators (FBOs) should not wait for an inspection to find gaps. Regular internal checks, independent audits and routine product testing help catch problems early.
How Envirocare Labs can help
Envirocare Labs is a NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories)-accredited and FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)-notified food testing laboratory. For over 47 years, we have helped food businesses stay safe and compliant.
We can support your business with:
- Food testing: Test edible oils, spices, dry fruits, sweets and other products for adulteration, contaminants and quality parameters, across 22,000+ testing parameters.
- Schedule 4 hygiene audits: Independent audits of your kitchen, outlet or plant against Schedule 4 requirements, with a clear report of gaps and corrective actions.
- Labelling review: Check your product labels against FSSAI labelling requirements before they reach the market.
- Food safety training: FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) and customised training for your food handlers and supervisors.
- Compliance support: Guidance on licensing, documentation and day-to-day food safety practices.
Our team of 250+ scientists and food safety experts works from laboratories in Mumbai and Goa, with offices in Pune and Unjha.
Be inspection-ready, every day
Do not wait for a surprise inspection to find out where you stand. Book a hygiene audit or product testing with Envirocare Labs today.
Source: The Economic Times (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
