The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration seized 4,138.7 kg of dairy and sweet products and 30 litres of milk during a Ganeshotsav 2026 food safety drive, while taking action against food establishments in Mumbai and other districts over suspected adulteration, substandard products and hygiene violations.
According to an official FDA statement cited by Mid-Day, inspections were conducted between September 11 and 14 as demand rose for sweets, dairy products, farsan and dry fruits during the festival period. The seized products included khoya, paneer, ghee, peda, halwa, shrikhand, butter and milk powder. Their total value was reported at Rs 15.58 lakh.
The drive covered establishments involved in the manufacture and sale of food products. In the Greater Mumbai division, the FDA inspected 38 food establishments and collected 47 samples, including samples of milk, khoya, ghee and sweets, for laboratory analysis. The supplied report says the inspections were intended to prevent adulteration and check compliance with food safety requirements.
The report identifies food safety violations at several Mumbai establishments. At Cafe Mondegar in Colaba, officials cited hot food being stored below the required 60 degrees Celsius, cold storage not being maintained below 5 degrees Celsius, improper thawing and inadequate drainage near the food preparation area. The FDA said these conditions created a risk of cross-contamination.
The Maharashtra Biryani Center in Kandivali East was reported to have failed to maintain hygiene, sanitation and safety standards required under Schedule 4 for food business operators. Tribhuvan Dairy Farm in Ghatkopar West and Mahavir Cashew and Foods Pvt Ltd in Ghatkopar East were also reported to have violated Section 4 of the applicable food safety regulations. The FDA additionally imposed a Rs 20,000 fine on Krishna Sweets and Snacks in Kanjurmarg East.
However, the supplied report contains an inconsistency about the number of Mumbai establishments whose licences were suspended. One section says that licences of nine establishments were suspended and lists Ruhafza Bakery in Khar West, Chandrus Pure Ghee Sweets and Sharma Dairy and Fast Food in Andheri West, Punjabi Chandu Halwai in Grant Road East, Shri Narayan Dairy in Vile Parle West, Gulshan Dairy Farm in Khar West, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm and Mahavir Cashew and Foods in Ghatkopar, and Agrawal Sweet Mart in Jogeshwari East. A later section says that four Mumbai establishments faced licence suspension and names Cafe Mondegar, Maharashtra Biryani Center, Tribhuvan Dairy Farm and Mahavir Cashew and Foods. The FDA’s definitive licence orders and the correct establishment count were not provided in the supplied material.
The wider enforcement operation also covered Pune, Kolhapur and Jalgaon. In Pune district, officials reported finding 1,519 kg of cow milk butter and skimmed milk powder valued at Rs 8.50 lakh at Creamy Delight in Patas, Daund. At Mahaveer Dairy in Manchar, officials found suspected substandard khoya, paneer and ghee. In Jalgaon, approximately 2,155 kg of suspected adulterated halwa was found in two transport vehicles.
The FDA also reported action against establishments in Shirol, Badlapur, Jalgaon, Raver and Chalisgaon. At Bhairavnath Dairy in Badlapur, officials found 30 litres of pasteurised standardised buffalo milk being sold loose. Other inspections involved suspected substandard khoa, peda, buffalo ghee and shrikhand, including products reportedly stored in unhygienic conditions or without purchase bills.
The next confirmed steps are the analysis of the 47 food samples collected in Mumbai and further regulatory action based on inspection findings and laboratory results. The exact number of suspended Mumbai licences remains subject to confirmation from the Maharashtra FDA’s official orders.
