Pune, August 11: In a significant move ahead of the festive season, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a major campaign in Pune and Sangli to ensure food safety. The FDA has suspended the licenses of 12 hotels, restaurants, and bakeries due to issues related to cleanliness, expired goods, and violations of regulations. Additionally, approximately ₹1.49 lakh worth of sweet mawa was seized during the inspections.
Under the directive of Maharashtra’s Food Safety Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe, the ‘Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign conducted inspections from August 1 to 10. The FDA team carried out surprise checks at hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.
The inspections revealed negligence in cleanliness and the storage of spoiled and expired food items, leading to action against the 12 establishments. Among those suspended are The Lotus Resort in Lonavala, The Masal Foods in Bibvewadi, Huma Bakery in Pimpri-Chinchwad, New Maharashtra Bakers in Ambegaon Budruk, Marrakech Ventures Private Limited in Parvati, and Swinsta ENT Private Limited in Warje. In Sangli, the licenses of Shrikrishna Kirana Stores, Hotel Manzar, Hotel Royal Sagar Beer Bar and Permit Room, Hotel GM Vadewala, Bhosale Sarkar Chinese Center, and Hotel The Master Chef Miraj were also suspended.
Between August 1 and 9, the Pune division inspected 19 establishments, seizing a stock of prohibited food items valued at ₹41,38,667. The local police registered cases under the Indian Penal Code, resulting in the arrest of 24 individuals. During the crackdown, 14 food establishments were sealed, and the FDA confiscated four vehicles worth approximately ₹14.90 lakh for violating regulations.
On August 10, a joint team from the FDA and Pune Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell-2 inspected a bus in Karni Parking, Kondhwa. The bus, numbered AR.11 E 2001, was transporting around 598 kg of sweet mawa without a food license for sale and transport. The bus lacked temperature control and proper labeling as per food safety regulations. The FDA sent samples for testing and seized the entire 598 kg of sweet mawa, valued at approximately ₹1,49,500.
FDA officials have urged hotel, restaurant, and bakery operators to adhere to cleanliness and food safety standards. They emphasized the importance of providing clean drinking water, using food-grade packaging, conducting business with a valid license, and avoiding the reuse of cooking oil.
Consumers can report any complaints regarding food quality or cleanliness to the FDA’s toll-free number 1800222365. The FDA has stated that this inspection campaign will continue in the coming days, with strict actions against violators.
Leave a Comment