An extensive inspection initiative prior to Diwali, the Maharashtra FDA seized food products worth Rs 45 lakh (Representative image)
MUMBAI: In a crackdown on suspected adulteration and unsafe food ahead of Diwali, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized food products worth Rs 45 lakh across the state, suspended the licences of five establishments, registered three FIRs and arrested two people during a three-day inspection drive. Prohibited food items worth Rs 11.55 lakh were seized in the Konkan and Nashik divisions, according to the FDA. Separately, food stock worth Rs 22.34 lakh, comprising sweets, farsan, edible oil and dry fruits, was seized during inspections across six divisions — Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur.
The inspections revealed suspected substandard and adulterated food, unhygienic preparation and storage conditions, violations of sanitary norms and deficiencies in labelling, it stated. The agency also seized two vehicles allegedly used to transport prohibited food items and sealed two establishments during the special drive. The action also led to the arrest of two people, registration of three FIRs, seizure of two vehicles and sealing of two establishments. The food items were allegedly being transported without temperature control and in unhygienic conditions, raising concerns about possible adulteration and health hazards.
In a statement on Tuesday, the department said inspections were carried out at hotels, restaurants, sweet shops and food manufacturing units across Maharashtra.