Maharashtra FDA seizes ₹1.56 crore of food stock, suspends Mumbai eatery licences

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized more than 43.56 tonnes of suspected adulterated food stock and 719 litres of dairy worth ₹1.56 crore in a major statewide safety drive. Led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, inspectors raided food businesses, dairies, and pharmacies across the state to enforce strict compliance with public health regulations.

As part of the operation in Mumbai, the FDA suspended the licences of seven popular food establishments following inspections on 23 and 24 October. The suspended eateries include Mumbai Darbar Family Restaurant in Lower Parel, Ottoman Cafe and Bharat Canteen in Andheri West, Chacha Eagle Kulfi Falooda in Jogeshwari West, Green Turtle Hospitality in Oshiwara, Atul Tiffin in Byculla, and P. B. Enterprises in Sewri West.

Inspectors cited multiple violations under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. Raids uncovered unhygienic kitchen conditions, blocked drainage, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items side by side, use of unapproved synthetic food colours, and staff working without valid medical health certificates.

State regional seizure breakdown

Enforcement teams carried out coordinated raids across all major divisions of Maharashtra, confiscating improperly labelled, expired, or adulterated products.

Action on unsafe milk and banned substances

Targeting urban dairy supply networks, FDA teams tested milk distribution centres in Govandi, Mankhurd, Antop Hill, Chembur, Dharavi, and Mahim. Officials destroyed 564 litres of substandard milk on the spot after detecting unsafe handling and temperature control breaches. At Sagar Milk Centre in Antop Hill alone, 250 litres were poured out, while license suspension proceedings were launched against Agasti Milk Agency in Mankhurd. Legal charges were filed against Yadav Dairy in Govandi East for operating without a license.

In a separate raid in South Mumbai's Nal Bazar market, inspectors seized banned gutkha valued at ₹4.22 lakh and registered criminal cases against the seller.

Enforcement against non-compliant pharmacies

Parallel inspections focused on pharmaceutical standards, with officers examining 937 premises including retail chemists, blood banks, and manufacturing facilities. The department issued 450 deficiency notices, suspended 71 drug licences, and cancelled 22 retail and seven manufacturing licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Illegal medicines and cosmetics worth ₹28.52 lakh were confiscated during the fortnight-long pharmaceutical drive. The FDA confirmed that inspections and random sampling will continue uninterrupted to protect consumer safety across the state.