The Pune division of Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized food products worth about ₹32.2 lakh from 11 establishments during inspections conducted on 14 and 15 October, citing suspected adulteration, incorrect labelling and potentially misleading product information ahead of the festive fasting season.
The action was part of the statewide “Safe Food, Safe Medicine, Safe Maharashtra” campaign being conducted under the leadership of Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The FDA said demand for products used during fasting rises during festivals, prompting inspections aimed at checking food quality and safety.
The Pune FDA division inspected 14 establishments in total, of which 11 were located in Pune district. The largest seizures were reported in the Market Yard area. From Bhansali Udyog, officials seized 6,402 kg of rajgira, sabudana and bhagar valued at ₹7.50 lakh. A further 5,836 kg of glass nylon sabudana and peanuts, valued at ₹7.37 lakh, was seized from Bhansali Trading Company in the same area.
At RS Foods in Yewalewadi, officials seized 3,669 kg of glass nylon sabudana and peanuts worth ₹5.73 lakh. Jaylaxmi Snacks LLP in Dhayari was found with 2,018 kg of refined palmolein oil, potato chivda and navratna mix valued at ₹5.29 lakh. From Pooja Sales Corporation in Market Yard, the FDA seized 3,504 kg of sabudana and vari bhagar worth ₹3.44 lakh.
Officials also seized 1,452 kg of sweets made from rajgira and jaggery from Parmar Foods in Dhayari. Action was additionally taken against Uttam Trading Company, Rajesh Enterprises, Khandelwal Food Products, Yashraj Food Processing and Jayshree Purohit Foods, from which products including sabudana, rice, jaggery, edible oil and wafers were seized.
Separate inspections of food-service establishments found further violations. At Hindavi Swarajya Special Tupatil Sabudana Vada on Jangli Maharaj Road, officials found that vegetable fat was being used instead of ghee to prepare sabudana vada. The establishment was accused of misleading customers and was directed to stop operating because it did not have the required food licence or registration.
At Yasin Food Centre in Wagholi, inspectors found serious violations of provisions under Schedule 4 of the food-safety regulations, along with unhygienic conditions. The establishment’s food licence was suspended with immediate effect.
The Pune FDA division also reported action against prohibited gutkha, pan masala and flavoured tobacco products between 1 and 15 October. During that period, prohibited stock valued at ₹11.95 lakh was seized, 21 first information reports were registered, 13 establishments were sealed and 25 people were arrested.
Digambar Bhogawade, joint commissioner for food in the Pune FDA division, urged consumers to report complaints related to food quality and hygiene on the toll-free number 1800 222 365. He said enforcement action would continue during the festive period to protect public health.
