The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended licences and registrations of 19 food business operators and seized food products worth more than Rs 9 crore during a special festive-season enforcement drive across the state.
Among the seized products were more than 2,279 litres of Patanjali cow ghee worth Rs 20.20 lakh, recovered from a super distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar over suspected misbranding and adulteration.
The FDA said samples have been sent for laboratory analysis and further action will depend on the test results.
3.53 Lakh Kg of Food Products Seized
According to the FDA, around 3.53 lakh kg of food articles valued at Rs 9.01 crore were seized from 114 establishments spread across seven divisions of Maharashtra during the campaign.
The action was carried out as part of heightened checks on food quality, hygiene and compliance during the festive season.
Officials inspected manufacturers, distributors, hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other food establishments for violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and related rules.
Rs 20.20 Lakh Patanjali Cow Ghee Seized
One of the prominent actions was taken against M/s Divya Mahavitarak, a super distributor of Patanjali Ayurved in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The FDA seized 2,279.7 litres of Patanjali cow ghee, valued at Rs 20.20 lakh, after officials suspected violations relating to misbranding and possible adulteration.
The seized stock comprised a total of 4,032 units.
Of these, 2,998 units contained 1,349.1 litres of ghee valued at Rs 12.29 lakh, while another 1,034 units contained 930.6 litres valued at Rs 7.91 lakh.
The total estimated value of the seized consignment was Rs 20,20,190.
Samples Sent for Laboratory Testing
FDA officials said the stock appeared prima facie to be in violation of provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act.
However, the agency has not yet established that the ghee was adulterated.
Samples have been sent to an authorised laboratory, and the quality and composition of the seized product will be determined after the test reports are received.
FDA Joint Commissioner Shrikant Karkale said further legal action would follow based on the laboratory findings.
19 Food Licences and Registrations Suspended
The FDA also suspended licences and registrations of 19 establishments, including namkeen, sweetmeat and spice manufacturing units in the Mumbai, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions.
According to the agency, serious deficiencies were found during inspections, including unhygienic operating conditions, improper food storage, absence of adequate pest-control measures and failure to maintain cleaning records.
Some establishments were also allegedly found without mandatory documentation or were not complying with prescribed food-safety standards.
Over 1.44 Lakh Kg Edible Oil Seized From Avenue Supermarts
The enforcement drive also led to the seizure of 1,44,218 kg of edible oil from Avenue Supermarts Ltd in Bhiwandi, Thane district.
Separately, officials seized 20,560 kg of rice, pulses, jaggery and other food products from Amin Traders in Satara.
In the Pune division, edible oil was also seized from Swati Oil Mills in Satara and S G Traders in Solapur, the FDA said.
The seizures indicate that the festive-season campaign was not limited to one product or company, but covered a broad range of food businesses across Maharashtra.
Rs 79.40 Lakh Worth of Banned Food Products Seized
Between October 28 and October 31, the FDA also seized banned food articles worth Rs 79.40 lakh from 17 establishments.
During the same period:
- 13 FIRs were registered
- 16 people were arrested
- Seven establishments were sealed
- Six vehicles were seized
The action formed part of a wider crackdown on prohibited and potentially unsafe food products.
34 Hotels, Restaurants and Dhabas Inspected
The FDA inspected 34 hotels, restaurants and dhabas in the Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur divisions.
Following the inspections, 29 improvement notices were issued over deficiencies related to food safety and hygiene.
Businesses were directed to address shortcomings and comply with prescribed standards under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
FDA Steps Up Festive-Season Checks
Food safety authorities typically intensify inspections during the festive period because of increased demand for sweets, edible oils, ghee, spices and other food products.
The Maharashtra FDA said the latest action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, along with relevant rules and regulations.
Officials have indicated that enforcement against businesses found violating food safety requirements will continue.
FSSAI Notices to Tata 1mg, Amazon and Flipkart in Separate Case
Separately, the FDA statement also referred to action by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) involving Tata 1mg Marine Collagen Powder.
FSSAI has issued show-cause notices to Tata 1mg Healthcare Solutions, ACFO Pharmaceuticals, Amazon Seller Services and Flipkart India over alleged violations concerning the labelling and advertising of the product.
The companies have been asked to submit their explanations within 30 days.
The notices are separate from the Maharashtra FDA’s festive-season seizure drive and, at this stage, concern alleged regulatory violations rather than a final finding against the companies.
Further Action to Depend on Test Reports
In the Patanjali ghee case, the focus will now be on the laboratory findings.
Until those results are available, the FDA’s action remains based on suspected misbranding, adulteration and possible violations of food-safety regulations rather than a confirmed finding that the seized ghee was adulterated.
The agency is expected to determine further legal and regulatory action after receiving the laboratory reports.
