The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified its statewide crackdown on food safety violations, inspecting 3,137 food establishments between May 25 and July 31, 2026. During the enforcement drive, authorities seized or destroyed 28.66 lakh kg of unsafe food products worth ₹55.72 crore and suspended the licences of 165 food businesses, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced on Wednesday, August 5.
The large-scale operation, carried out under the state's 'Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra' campaign, targeted hotels, restaurants, dairies, food manufacturers, warehouses, and retail outlets to curb the sale of adulterated, substandard, and unsafe food products.
According to the FDA, officials inspected 3,137 food establishments during the campaign, registered 532 FIRs, and seized nearly 28.66 lakh kg of non-compliant food stock.
Clarifying the enforcement process, he said licence suspension does not mean permanent closure. Food businesses are allowed to resume operations once they rectify deficiencies and comply with food safety regulations.
"Businesses are given an opportunity to improve before further action is taken. Every Tuesday, hearings are conducted to review compliance, and eligible establishments receive interim relief after verification," Mundhe said.
Of the 165 suspended licences, 103 businesses have filed appeals, while interim relief has been granted in eligible cases. Orders have been reserved in 38 cases, and 35 appeals remain under consideration.
The hospitality sector witnessed one of the biggest enforcement drives during the campaign.
Between July 1 and July 31, the FDA inspected 890 hotels, restaurants, eateries, and dhabas, issuing 329 improvement notices and suspending the licences of 116 establishments for violations related to hygiene, sanitation, and food safety standards.
Rejecting allegations of selective action by some hotel owners, Mundhe said enforcement was based solely on violations detected during inspections.
"We have not provided any VIP or selective treatment. Only establishments found violating food safety norms faced action," he said, adding that businesses receiving improvement notices are given 15 days to address deficiencies.
The FDA also intensified its action against the illegal sale and storage of prohibited food products, including gutkha, pan masala, and scented tobacco.
Officials inspected 676 outlets, with 658 establishments found storing banned products. During the drive, authorities:
The department said the action reflects the state's zero-tolerance policy against illegal food products that pose risks to public health.
The FDA also carried out extensive inspections in the milk and dairy industry.
Among 487 milk establishments inspected:
Additionally, inspections of 476 dairy establishments resulted in:
Region-wise, Pune recorded the highest enforcement activity with 941 inspections, followed by:
In terms of food seizures by value:
According to Mundhe, the enforcement campaign has led to noticeable improvements in cleanliness and food safety practices across many establishments.
The FDA documents inspections through photographs and videos before and after corrective measures to ensure compliance.
"We have observed significant improvements in hygiene standards at many establishments following inspections and corrective action," he said.
To strengthen consumer participation and improve grievance redressal, the Maharashtra FDA has also launched a multilingual AI-enabled online complaint portal.
The platform offers:
Mundhe said the department's strategy is built around the principles of "Empowerment, Enabling and Enforcement", combining public participation with strict implementation of food safety laws.
He reiterated that the government's primary objective is to ensure citizens have access to safe food and medicines.
"Our only concern is that people should not consume unsafe food or drugs. Every inspection is supported by photographic and video evidence, and all enforcement actions are carried out in accordance with the law," he said.
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