Mumbai: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confiscated over Rs 9 crore worth of food items in its statewide crackdown to curb food adulteration ahead of Diwali, including Patanjali Cow Ghee.
Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe led the crackdown which targeted 114 food outlets across all seven administrative zones in the state. During the operations 19 food business operators had their licenses and registrations suspended by the FDA for gross violations of hygiene standards (NDTV Profit).
Some of the major items seized were 2,279 litres of Patanjali Cow Ghee worth around Rs 20 lakh from a distributor in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The consignment were seized under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 due to alleged misbranding and adulteration.
Maximum Seizure Of Edible Oil
The maximum seizure was recorded in the Konkan division when over 1.44 lakh kg of edible oil of different brands were seized from an outlet in Bhiwandi, Thane District.
The FDA also seized consignment of edible oils, rice, pulses and jaggery.
A variety of food items were targeted including spices, flour, dairy items, sweets, snacks, dry fruits and bakery items.
Various violations related to hygiene were found during inspections in Mumbai. These included poor hygiene, pests, lack of documentation and improper storage of food.
Seizure Of Banned Food Items
During a separate crackdown on banned food items between October 28 and 31, the FDA seized Rs 79.4 lakh worth of items from 17 outlets.
The department filed 13 FIRs, arrested 16 people, sealed 7 outlets and seized 6 vehicles.
The FDA is advising consumers to only purchase food items from licensed vendors. They are also advising against purchasing unbranded or loose items. They have also asked people to ensure they check the labels, batches and expiry dates.