FDA suspends 105 licences, cancels 7 across Maharashtra after pre-Deepavali checks

The Mumbai Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) suspended the licenses of 105 firms and cancelled the licenses of seven eateries across Maharashtra after inspections on November 4 and 5, according to a document from the agency. The FDA seized 39,485 kg of food products worth ₹1.35 crore from at least 69 establishments.

In Mumbai, licenses of 28 eateries were suspended. The license of one eatery, Rajdhani Biryani Centre, was cancelled. Companies Blink Commerce and Zepto had their licenses suspended. Across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, 2,396.6 kg of food products with a value of ₹13.87 lakh were seized. The items included sweets, ingredients, savouries, and food in packets.

The action followed inspections. The inspections found violations in hygiene, food storage, manufacturing practices, and licensing requirements. The inspections did not find records of health checks and training for food handlers.

The stock of Jetharam Chuniram Puniya (Malad) was seized. The owner manufactured food products without a license and sold them without labels.

The 44 kg of boondi laddus and kalakand from Jamnagari Sweets and Farsan (Vile Parle) were confiscated. The FDA cited the use of food color in contravention of the limits.

The FDA has warned vendors of sweets and manufacturers to follow the rules before Deepavali. It said it would continue checks before the festival.

Tukaram Mundhe, the FDA Commissioner, said the agency works to protect citizens from food that does not meet standards. He said it would not compromise on food quality or health, regardless of a business’s size or reputation.