The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized 4,002 kg of sweets and sweet halwa valued at approximately Rs 11.11 lakh from a luxury bus in Chembur after officials found the consignment being transported in unhygienic conditions without temperature control ahead of Diwali.
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 during the festive season. The FDA said its Food Safety Department Zone 7 intercepted 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.
Officials said the food items were being transported without controlled temperature and under unhygienic conditions, raising concerns about possible health hazards and adulteration. The seized stock 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. Officials collected six formal samples from the seized food items and sent them for laboratory analysis. The FDA said further action would be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, after the laboratory reports are received.
The Mumbai seizure formed part of a wider enforcement operation across Maharashtra, during which food stock valued at approximately Rs 22.34 lakh was seized across six divisions. The inspections covered establishments involved in the manufacture, storage and sale of sweets, khawa, farsan, edible oil and other food products.
In the Konkan division, officials seized about 960 kg of food stock valued at Rs 5.30 lakh. In Pune, 2,005 kg of food items worth Rs 3.76 lakh were seized, while perishable items suspected to be unsafe were destroyed at the Pune Municipal Corporation’s waste processing centre in Dhankawadi. Nashik officials seized 180 kg of misal sev and Nashik chivda, and suspended the licence of the concerned establishment.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division reported the seizure of 420 litres of edible oil and 5,066 kg of other food items valued at Rs 11.30 lakh. In Amravati, 602 kg of food stock worth Rs 1.05 lakh was seized, with the licences of two establishments suspended. Nagpur officials seized 60 kg of cashew kernels valued at Rs 48,500 over suspected substandard quality.
The FDA also reported action against prohibited food items. Three first information reports were registered, two people were arrested, two vehicles were seized and two establishments were sealed. Five establishment licences were suspended, while another business was directed to stop operating until it obtains the required registration certificate.
The inspections identified suspected substandard and adulterated food products, unhygienic preparation and storage conditions, violations of hygiene and health requirements, labelling deficiencies and the sale and 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 and hygiene during festive purchases. Complaints about food quality or malpractices can be submitted through the toll-free number 1800222365 or the Food and Drug Grievance Portal.
