The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified food safety inspections across the state ahead of the festive season. Over two days, officials seized more than 95 tonnes of food products and 172 litres of milk valued at around ₹4.45 crore. The inspections were carried out in Ahilyanagar, Pune, Nashik and Buldhana to check adulteration, labelling and hygiene violations. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned food sellers that action would be taken against those compromising public health. The crackdown comes just before Ganesh Chaturthi and other major festive food sales.Why Maharashtra FDA Intensified ChecksThe Maharashtra FDA is increasing inspections because demand for milk products, sweets and other food items rises sharply during the festive period. Officials found suspected substandard products, incomplete labels, missing records and improper transportation conditions during the latest operations. Several samples have been sent to laboratories, while some perishable or seized stocks were destroyed following official procedures.More than 95 tonnes of food products were seized.Around 172 litres of milk were also seized.The combined value of the seized material was about ₹4.45 crore.Inspections covered Ahilyanagar, Pune, Nashik and Buldhana.FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned against adulterated and misbranded food.Major Food Seizures Across MaharashtraIn Ahilyanagar, FDA officials raided a cold-storage facility and seized 75,368.8 kg of pasteurised cooking butter valued at about ₹3.95 crore. The stock, sold under the “Madurama Creamy Delight” label, was suspected to be substandard and had labelling deficiencies. Samples were collected and sent for laboratory analysis, while the stock was sealed at the facility.Pune saw several major actions involving dairy products. Officials intercepted two vehicles carrying paneer, khoya and curd. The FDA reported issues including a lack of temperature-controlled transport, incomplete labelling, unsealed packaging and missing purchase or sale invoices for paneer brought from Karnataka. More than 18 tonnes of food products were seized across three Pune operations.Also Read: Supreme Court Gives FSSAI 10 Days To Set Food Warning Label TimelineTukaram Mundhe Issues WarningTukaram Mundhe said the FDA was closely monitoring food quality across Maharashtra and would continue strict action against businesses selling adulterated or misbranded products. The warning comes as festive demand increases, making food safety checks especially important for products such as paneer, khoya, curd, butter and sweets.In Nashik, officials seized 1,955 kg of barfi transported from Gujarat after collecting samples. In Buldhana, the FDA found violations at a milk collection centre, including inadequate temperature control and missing records. Officials seized 172 litres of milk there, with the perishable stock subsequently destroyed.Key HighlightsFDA seized food products worth about ₹4.45 crore.More than 95 tonnes of food products were seized.Pune operations involved large quantities of paneer and khoya.A cold-storage facility in Ahilyanagar yielded over 75 tonnes of butter.Nashik officials seized nearly two tonnes of barfi.FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned sellers against compromising food safety.Festive Food Safety Crackdown ContinuesThe Maharashtra FDA’s latest action shows that food safety checks are being stepped up as festive demand grows. The seizures involved several commonly consumed dairy and sweet products, while officials also identified problems with labelling, transportation, storage and documentation.Tukaram Mundhe’s warning signals that enforcement will continue during the festive season. Laboratory testing of collected samples will determine further action in cases where violations are confirmed. For consumers, the crackdown highlights the importance of buying food from reliable sellers and checking packaging and labelling before purchase.Disclaimer: This article is provided for knowledge purposes and to share news information based on verified reports. Allegations or suspected adulteration mentioned above should not be treated as confirmed until official laboratory findings or regulatory action establish them.
