The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration said it seized more than 74,600 kg of edible oil during inspections at 25 establishments across Pune, Sangli, Solapur, Satara and Kolhapur districts on October 9, ahead of the festive season. The operation targeted suspected violations involving product quality, packaging, labelling, storage and food-safety compliance.
The drive was conducted under the directions of FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, according to a statement reported by Mid-Day. The department said inspectors found alleged deficiencies including nonfunctional in-house laboratories, inadequate testing arrangements, unhygienic containers, common inlets connecting storage tanks, improper labelling and the repackaging of oil in reused tins.
The reported value of the seized stock requires clarification. Mid-Day’s headline and district-wise figures place the total at approximately Rs 1.28 crore, while the article’s opening paragraph states that the oil was worth around Rs 129 crore. Samples from the seized stock have been sent to designated state laboratories for chemical analysis, but the supplied report does not include a corrected consolidated value from the FDA.
Pune accounted for the largest quantity seized, with 34,481 kg confiscated from eight establishments at an approximate reported value of Rs 58.90 lakh. At Sant Tukaram Oil Mill in Dehu, officials seized 12,518 kg of soybean and imported refined, bleached and deodorised palmolein oil. The inspection reportedly found a nonfunctional laboratory and alleged misbranding. Another 12,434 kg was seized at Laxmi Enterprises in Aale, Junnar. Inspections were also carried out in Baramati MIDC, Chakan, Mulshi and Gultekadi Market Yard.
In Kolhapur, the FDA reported seizing 18,156 kg of edible oil from four establishments, with an approximate value of Rs 29.03 lakh. The major seizures included 7,998 kg of refined, bleached and deodorised palmolein oil at Raj Oil in Ichalkaranji. Officials also cited alleged unsafe storage practices and common inlets connecting storage tanks at Mathuresh Traders and Mahalaxmi Enterprises.
Five establishments in Solapur were inspected in Akkalkot MIDC, Sangola and Madha, where 13,490 kg of edible oil worth around Rs 25.33 lakh was reportedly seized. Officials flagged alleged mislabelling and suspected substandard soybean and rice bran oils, along with missing or improper maximum retail prices, batch numbers and use-by dates.
In Satara, four establishments were inspected and 5,948 kg of edible oil, valued at approximately Rs 11.41 lakh, was seized during checks in Karad and Patan. The FDA reportedly found businesses operating without valid licences and using reused tins to package soybean oil. In Sangli, 2,536 kg valued at around Rs 4.07 lakh was seized from four establishments. Officials also directed the immediate closure of noncompliant traders in Walwa and Miraj, citing alleged deficiencies in laboratory facilities and purchase records.
The FDA said the suspected violations may attract action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Penalties and prosecution may follow depending on the laboratory findings and subsequent statutory proceedings. The department has urged consumers to remain alert while purchasing food products during the festive season and report suspected adulteration, quality concerns or other trade malpractices. Confirmation of the consolidated value of the seized oil remains pending.
