The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration seized 4,002 kg of sweets and sweet halwa valued at approximately Rs 11.11 lakh from a luxury bus in Mumbai’s Chembur area after officials found the consignment being transported in unhygienic conditions without temperature control ahead of the Diwali festive season.
The seizure took place during a special statewide inspection drive conducted between November 1 and 3 to prevent the sale, storage and distribution of prohibited, substandard, adulterated and unsafe food items. FDA Food Safety Department Zone 7 inspected a luxury bus operated by Tania Travels, bearing registration number AR 01 S 6030, on the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road near Tilak Nagar Police Station.
According to the FDA, the food items were being transported without controlled temperature and in conditions that could pose health risks. Officials collected six formal samples from the seized stock and sent them for laboratory analysis. Further action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after the test reports are received.
The seized consignment included 2,098 kg of Gopal Sweet Barfi, 598 kg of Nandi Indian Dessert, 538 kg of Shree Bansidhar Sweet Halwa, 448 kg of Shree Gokul Traditional Sweets, 268 kg of Nandi Indian Sweet Halwa and 52 kg of Shree Gokul Halwa. The operation was conducted jointly by the FDA and the police.
The Mumbai seizure formed part of wider enforcement across Maharashtra, where the FDA reported food stock seizures valued at approximately Rs 22.34 lakh across six divisions. Inspections covered establishments involved in manufacturing, storing and selling sweets, khawa, farsan, edible oil and other food products. In Pune, officials seized 2,005 kg of food items worth Rs 3.76 lakh, while perishable items suspected to be unsafe were destroyed at the Pune Municipal Corporation’s waste processing centre in Dhankawadi.
The department also reported action against prohibited food items in the Konkan and Nashik divisions. Three FIRs were registered, two people were arrested, two vehicles were seized and two establishments were sealed. Across the state, the licences of five establishments were suspended and one establishment was ordered to stop business until it obtained the required registration certificate.
The inspections identified suspected substandard and adulterated products, unhygienic preparation and storage conditions, breaches of hygiene and health requirements, labelling deficiencies and the sale or transportation of prohibited food items. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said inspections and enforcement action would continue to ensure the quality, safe transportation and storage of food products in the interest of public health.
The FDA has asked consumers to remain vigilant about food quality, hygiene and safety while making festive purchases. Complaints regarding food quality or malpractices can be reported through the department’s toll-free number, 1800222365, or the Food and Drug Grievance Portal.
