Maharashtra FDA Inspects 9,667 Food Units Ahead of Diwali

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has issued an enforcement advisory to food commercial establishments across the state ahead of Diwali celebrations. The commissioner stated on Thursday, November 5, 2026, that regulatory enforcement applies equally to major corporate brands and small retailers without exception.

Statewide Enforcement Drive and Seizure Quantities

The enforcement warning accompanies expanded statewide surveillance covering manufacturing plants, storage warehouses, transit networks, retail shops, dark stores, and hospitality dining facilities. Regulatory teams inspected 9,667 food commercial establishments between September 1 and November 3 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. During this broader two-month enforcement campaign, regulatory officials served 4,603 improvement notices, suspended 954 operating licences and registrations, and initiated cancellation procedures against 25 entities. Enforcement officers gathered 8,835 commercial food samples and confiscated 3,098.46 metric tonnes of suspect food inventory valued at Rs 63.45 crore. Under Section 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, operating a food business without a valid licence carries imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, according to Punekar News.

Mundhe affirmed that the administration encourages compliant enterprises while enforcing strict penalties against operators endangering public welfare.

Concentrated Diwali Campaign and Regional Distribution

Under a separate festival inspection initiative conducted between October 15 and November 3, inspectors surveyed 3,332 food business premises across Maharashtra. The festive initiative resulted in 1,501 improvement notices, 326 licence suspensions, and cancellation proceedings initiated against 15 establishments. Inspectors gathered 3,864 food test samples and confiscated 1,886.44 metric tonnes of suspect inventory valued at Rs 44.37 crore during the festival window. Konkan administrative zone posted the highest confiscation total at Rs 17.69 crore, with Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar following at Rs 7.54 crore and Pune recording Rs 7.53 crore. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration seized 171.57 metric tonnes of milk products and 59.78 metric tonnes of sweets, according to Punekar News.

Compliance Directives and Statutory Penalties

The administration placed 19 specific food sectors under active surveillance, including sweet manufacturers, khava and mawa suppliers, dairy distributors, edible oil refineries, and quick-commerce dark stores. All food business operators must display valid licensing and print their 14-digit FSSAI registration number on customer cash memos and transaction receipts. Establishments are mandated to procure raw materials exclusively from registered vendors and appoint at least one certified food safety supervisor. The Maharashtra FDA directed food delivery and quick-commerce companies to ensure listed sellers have valid FSSAI licences and that delivered food products have at least 30% of their shelf life or at least 45 days remaining before expiry, according to Punekar News.

Sweet makers and dairy handlers must utilize untainted ingredients, strictly avoiding synthetic milk, chemical detergents, starch additives, and unauthorized metallic foils. The authority cautioned that violations resulting in death can attract life imprisonment and fines of not less than Rs 10 lakh under Section 59 of the Act.

In a separate public advisory, officials urged consumers to verify FSSAI certification details and avoid purchasing perishables bearing unusually discounted price tags. The agency also encouraged buyers to obtain dairy treats in moderate batches and store perishable items under refrigeration.