The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has suspended the licences of four Mumbai food establishments over hygiene and food-safety violations, including unclean kitchens, rusted utensils, poor drainage systems and the mixing of returned pav with fresh stock.
The action against Arabian Shawarma Cafe and Fast Food in Borivali, Nath Fast Food, NAIR ON FIRE Cloud Kitchen in Mahim, and Bikaner Sweets and Namkin was announced as part of a statewide enforcement drive, according to an FDA press note reported by Mid-Day. The department said goods worth approximately Rs 311 crore were seized during the drive across Maharashtra.
At the Mumbai establishments, inspectors also recorded incomplete temperature records, the absence of medical certificates for food workers and the use of unauthorised food colours in sweets. The violations were recorded under applicable food safety and hygiene regulations. Bikaner Sweets and Namkin was issued a notice directing it to close its business because of unhygienic conditions, the FDA said.
The enforcement action extended beyond the four suspended establishments. In Kandivali East and Kandivali West, FDA officials seized food products worth Rs 25,195 over concerns about the use of colouring agents. The seized products included spicy potato wafers, banana wafers, garlic sev, peanut bhujia and Schezwan sticks from Shree Sadguru Foods in Kandivali East. Jalebi and Maharaja halwa were seized and destroyed on the spot at Shree Ganesh Farsan and Sweet Mart in Kandivali West after colouring was found, according to the press note.
The statewide operation also covered suspected adulteration, substandard products, incorrect labelling, unhygienic storage and prohibited food products. The FDA reported the seizure of approximately 32,061 litres of edible oil and 37,128 kg of other food stock during the special inspection drive.
One of the largest seizures took place at Viraj Enterprises in Ovali village, Bhiwandi, where officials seized 11,779 litres of edible oil and 2,850 kg of tea valued at Rs 1.27 crore. A sample of Jivo Pomace Olive Oil sold in a one-litre pack was sent for laboratory analysis, which found that the product was entirely groundnut oil rather than olive oil. The FDA said the seizure was intended to prevent consumer fraud and protect public health, with further legal action being taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and applicable rules.
In Pune, officials seized 9,000 kg of paneer and 440 kg of khoya from Bavdhan, Kasba Peth and Bibwewadi. The products were being transported and stored at uncontrolled temperatures and sold in the open, the FDA said. Other seizures in the state included edible oil, khoa, pedha, kalakand, ghee, bakery products, bhagar, sev-farsan and flavoured drink concentrate.
The department also reported action against prohibited pan masala and scented tobacco in Jalna and Mumbai. In Mumbai, officials seized prohibited stock valued at Rs 7,06,800 from a Tata Intra V10 tempo, along with the vehicle valued at Rs 3 lakh. An informal sample was collected for analysis, and a case was registered against Uday Sundar Yadav at MIDC Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The Maharashtra FDA urged consumers to report suspected food-quality violations through its toll-free helpline, 1800222365, or its grievance portal. The enforcement drive was announced by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
