The Pune Food and Drug Administration has seized 1,190 kg of motichoor laddoos and boondi worth approximately Rs 1.73 lakh from a sweets manufacturing unit in Kondhwa after detecting excessive use of artificial food colours and violations of hygiene standards.
FDA officials inspected Gayatri Ladoo Bhandar in Tilekar Nagar, Kondhwa Budruk, and found that the unit was using artificial colours beyond prescribed limits. The inspection also identified violations of mandatory hygiene and sanitation requirements during food production.
The officials further found that the manufacturing unit did not have the required analytical reports related to hygiene and sanitation. Following the inspection, the entire stock of motichoor laddoos and boondi was seized. The estimated value of the seized products was Rs 1,73,950.
The action comes a day after Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned food manufacturers against excessive use of artificial colours in commercially produced laddoos. Speaking at a Diwali faral distribution programme organised by the Merchant Chamber, Mundhe said food colours must be used strictly within prescribed standards.
The FDA’s inspection is part of intensified checks being carried out ahead of Diwali to identify food adulteration, excessive use of artificial colours and breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations in sweets and other festive food products.
The Kondhwa seizure highlights the enforcement role of the state food safety machinery during a period when production and retail of festive foods increases sharply. In this case, the regulatory action covered both the composition of the products and the conditions in which they were manufactured, including sanitation documentation and production hygiene.
The supplied report did not specify whether further penalties, laboratory proceedings or prosecution would follow the seizure. It also did not state whether any individuals had been arrested or whether the unit’s operating licence had been suspended. The FDA’s intensified inspection drive ahead of Diwali is continuing.
