The Pune FDA food safety crackdown seized more than 3,196kg of suspected substandard sweets, snacks and other food products worth Rs 16.93 lakh from 15 establishments across Pune division on November 3, ahead of the Diwali rush. The Food and Drug Administration destroyed 1,440.5kg of the seized stock valued at Rs 4.35 lakh, suspended eight licences and ordered three food establishments to stop operations.
The action was carried out in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Solapur, Sangli and Kolhapur under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra’ campaign launched by FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. The operation targeted sweet shops, dairies, bakeries and dry-fruit traders as demand for festive sweets and snacks increased.
According to the FDA, officials found suspected substandard quality, unhygienic manufacturing conditions, improper storage and handling, incorrect labelling and violations of prescribed food safety norms. The department also appealed to food businesses to maintain hygiene, use appropriate storage practices and comply with licensing and labelling requirements.
In Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, officials seized 605kg of sweets from Shri Ganesh Laduwale in Shikrapur, alleging that the products were manufactured in unhygienic conditions and without the required licence. At Rajmilan Sweets in Manchar, 250kg of sweet mawa was seized over suspected quality and safety concerns.
The FDA also seized and destroyed 268kg of barfi at Bikaner Mithaiwale in Mohammadwadi after citing improper storage and handling. Action was also taken against Karachi Sweet Mart in Camp, Bhail Sweets in Pimple Saudagar, Chamunda Maa Rabdiwala in Mulshi and other establishments in the region.
At Poornima Sweets in Wanowrie, 58kg of kalakand was seized and a closure notice was issued after the department found that the business did not have the required licence or registration. A similar notice was issued to Janta Sweets in Keshavnagar for operating without a valid FSSAI licence or registration.
The action extended beyond sweets. In Sangli, the FDA seized 749kg of almonds worth Rs 8.98 lakh from Ashish Traders at Vasantdada Market Yard over suspected substandard quality and incorrect labelling. Officials also seized sweets, cashews and other food products from establishments in Solapur and Kolhapur.
The enforcement drive places licensing, hygiene, storage and labelling at the centre of festive food regulation. For consumers, the seizures highlight the range of checks being conducted across the supply chain as establishments prepare for higher Diwali sales. The FDA has asked food businesses to obtain valid licences and registrations and follow prescribed food safety norms.
The department’s next steps include continued compliance action against establishments found violating food safety requirements during the festive period.
