The Pune Food and Drug Administration seized 4,296 kilograms of bhagar and sago from a trader at Market Yard, along with sweets, banana wafers and other food products, during inspections carried out across Pune division ahead of Navratri. The total value of the suspected stock seized in Pune and Sangli was reported at ₹4,45,768.
The action covered establishments in Bibvewadi and Market Yard in Pune, and Vita and Kawthe Piran in Sangli district. The inspections were conducted after Ganeshotsav and before Navratri as part of checks on the quality and compliance of food products sold during the festive period.
At Market Yard, officials seized 1,298 kilograms of bhagar and 2,998 kilograms of sago from Sameer Sales. The combined quantity was 4,296 kilograms, valued at ₹3,64,588. The stock was suspected to be substandard or unsafe, while violations related to product labelling were also reported.
At Ashish Foods in Bibvewadi, officials seized 210 kilograms of banana wafers valued at ₹27,300. A further 75.6 kilograms of chakli, valued at ₹25,200, was seized from Reddy Sweet House. The inspections reportedly found that the businesses’ registrations did not specify the appropriate type and category of activity. Laboratory test reports were also not available, and labelling rules were found to have been violated.
The action in Sangli district included the seizure of six kilograms of jalebi and Mysore pak, valued at ₹1,680, from Shri Balaji Sweet Mart in Vita. The establishment was reportedly not registered for the business. The quality of the sweets was suspected to be substandard, and excessive use of food colouring was suspected.
Officials also seized 27 kilograms of boondi ladoo and Mysore pak, valued at ₹9,000, from Sirvi Bandhu Mithaiwale in Vita. The stock was suspected to contain excessive food colouring. At Ruchira Sweets in Kawthe Piran in Miraj taluka, 72 kilograms of coconut barfi and Mysore pak, valued at ₹18,000, was seized.
The inspection at Ruchira Sweets reportedly found that the establishment’s registration did not mention the appropriate category. Production records and laboratory test reports were unavailable, and labelling violations were also recorded.
The seizures highlight the role of food safety enforcement in markets that supply large quantities of festive food to urban consumers. The reported findings relate not only to suspected product quality but also to registration, traceability, laboratory testing and labelling—administrative requirements intended to identify businesses and give consumers information about the food they purchase.
The report did not provide final laboratory findings or details of any subsequent prosecution, penalty or disposal order for the seized products. The next steps will depend on the inspection and testing process undertaken by the Food and Drug Administration.
