Pune, August 20: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra has taken significant action against hotels and restaurants in Pune under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign. A special inspection conducted between August 17 and 20 revealed violations of food safety regulations, unsanitary conditions, and unauthorized storage of food items.
As a result, the licenses of three establishments have been immediately suspended. This action was directed by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
The establishments affected include Baba Kitchen located in Marunji, Ambrosios in Hinjawadi, and Shri Nath Food Corner, along with a KFC storage facility in Bavdhan.
At Baba Kitchen, part of the Madrasan Sumi Wiring India Limited canteen in Marunji, there were significant violations of Appendix-4 of food safety regulations. The inspection found food items contaminated with food coloring, along with a large number of cockroaches and other pests. Due to these unsanitary conditions, the establishment’s license was suspended.
Similarly, the Hinjawadi establishment was found to have expired food items in stock, along with dirt and numerous pests. Consequently, its license was also suspended.
In the case of the KFC storage facility in Bavdhan, serious irregularities were discovered during the inspection on the fifth floor of Dharmeshi Milestone at Chandani Chowk. The original FSSAI license did not mention this location, yet food items were being stored there.
The inspection revealed that the cold storage’s air conditioning was malfunctioning, leading to a thick layer of ice on food boxes due to water leakage. Many food boxes were found placed directly on the ground instead of on racks, and packaging boxes and waste were scattered outside the storage room.
Additionally, no official records related to internal or external inspections or staff training were found. As a result of unauthorized storage, the business has been ordered to cease operations.
In various districts of Pune, raids were conducted on five establishments due to suspicions of adulteration and labeling issues, resulting in the seizure of food items worth ₹19,90,740.
On August 16, during an operation in Barshi, Solapur, 3,400 kilograms of rabdi Indian sweet and gulab jamun premix worth approximately ₹5,23,200 were seized due to suspicions of adulteration and labeling discrepancies.
In Kolhapur on the same day, 62 kilograms of peda worth ₹16,700 were seized from Changbhala Peda Center in Panhala, also due to similar concerns.
On August 17, 156 kilograms of sweet halwa worth ₹1,40,400 were seized from Sampat Mithai Bhandar in Panhala, as this stock was found to be expired and was subsequently destroyed.
On August 18, action was taken against Indo Allied Protein Foods Private Limited in Mahalunge, Khed Taluka, which supplies food materials to anganwadis. Here, 5,098 kilograms of khichdi masala worth ₹5,09,800 and 5,598 kilograms of toasted soya grits worth ₹4,47,840 were seized, totaling ₹9,57,640 due to adulteration suspicions and labeling issues.
In Sangli on the same day, Mitesh Sales Corporation in Sangli Market Yard was raided, resulting in the seizure of 322 kilograms of jaggery powder worth ₹77,280 and 3,528 kilograms of jaggery powder worth ₹3,52,800, totaling ₹4,30,080.
Samples of all seized food items have been sent for laboratory testing, and further legal action will follow based on the reports.
The FDA has also taken action against prohibited food items in the Pune department. Inspections at nine establishments led to the seizure of approximately ₹18,36,392 worth of banned gutkha, pan masala, and flavored tobacco.
In this matter, nine FIRs have been filed. During the operations, six establishments were sealed, and two vehicles worth around ₹7,15,000 were also confiscated. Twelve individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases.
The FDA has made it clear that strict action will continue against hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments that fail to comply with food safety regulations.
Officials have stated that there will be close monitoring of those conducting food businesses without licenses or in violation of regulations, as well as those producing, selling, or storing substandard or adulterated food items.
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