The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has seized food items worth Rs 45 lakh during a statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali, news agency Press Trust of India reported on November 3.The action, taken during a three-day special inspection drive, included the suspension of licences of five establishments, registration of three FIRs and arrest of two people. Officials also seized two vehicles allegedly used to transport prohibited food items and sealed two establishments.In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FDA said the inspections covered hotels, restaurants, sweet shops and food manufacturing units across Maharashtra.Prohibited food items worth Rs 11.55 lakh were seized in the Konkan and Nashik divisions, according to the FDA.
The action led to two arrests, three FIRs, the seizure of two vehicles and the sealing of two establishments. In Mumbai, officials seized 4,002 kg of halwa and other sweets worth Rs 11.11 lakh from a luxury bus in Chembur on Monday.The items were allegedly being transported without temperature control and in unhygienic conditions, raising concerns about possible adulteration and health risks.
Six samples were collected for laboratory analysis, and further action will be taken based on the test reports, the FDA said. Separately, sweets, farsan, edible oil and dry fruits worth Rs 22.34 lakh were seized during inspections across the Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati and Nagpur divisions.The licences of five establishments in Yavatmal, Akola, Buldhana and Washim districts were suspended during the drive.
The inspections found suspected substandard and adulterated food, unhygienic preparation and storage conditions, breaches of sanitation rules and shortcomings in labelling, the department said.Overall, the three-day drive resulted in the seizure of food items worth Rs 45 lakh, two arrests, three FIRs, the suspension of five licences and action against establishments and vehicles linked to alleged food safety violations.- Ends