The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration seized food articles worth Rs 1.90 crore during a statewide crackdown on food businesses, including health supplements containing ingredients rejected by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and edible oil suspected of failing safety requirements. The action also led to the immediate suspension of food business licences of two restaurants on Pune’s Fergusson College Road.
The FDA inspected 17 establishments dealing in nutraceuticals, health supplements and foods for special dietary use. Officials detected the use of Magnesium Acetyl Taurate and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, which the department said had been rejected by the FSSAI under directions dated June 3. Health supplements and related products valued at Rs 1,38,95,852 were seized.
According to the department, manufacturers had allegedly produced products containing the ingredients without the required product approvals, while marketers were selling them without the relevant food category being endorsed on their licences. Samples have been sent for laboratory testing, and the results are awaited.
The products under scrutiny included Rejuvance capsules containing Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Magnesium Acetyl Taurate and Sodium Benzoate; Altibrain-S capsules containing Beta-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide and Sulforaphane; and Magladense tablets containing Magnesium L-Threonate, Magnesium Acetyl Taurate and Sodium Benzoate. The FDA also identified Magladense syrup, EQOQ tablets and products containing Shiitake Mushroom Extract among the items examined.
In Kolhapur district, the department seized 21,004 litres of suspected edible oil worth Rs 45,95,260 from Avenue Supermarts Limited at Nimshirgaon. Officials collected 10 samples covering refined palmolein, mustard oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil and cottonseed oil. These samples have also been sent for analysis.
The FDA suspended the licences of Hotel Vaishali and Rupali Restaurant in Pune with immediate effect after inspections identified hygiene and food-safety violations. Hotel Vaishali scored 58 out of 98 in the inspection. Officials found a freezer used for raw materials and a dosa-uttappa griddle next to toilets. Cooked food and batter were kept in an open corridor, while raw vegetables were stored above ready-to-eat food. The inspection also flagged the absence of insect-proof doors, temperature records, a water-testing report and a FoSTaC-trained supervisor. The FDA said violations had continued despite an improvement notice issued in June.
At Rupali Restaurant, officials reported an open and unprotected kitchen, waterlogging, poor cleaning and inadequate waste management. Raw, semi-processed and ready-to-eat food items were stored uncovered and without labels or Use By dates. The restaurant also lacked temperature records, a Food Safety Management System plan, standard operating procedures and FoSTaC training records.
Both restaurants have been barred from dine-in, parcel and home-delivery operations until the deficiencies are rectified, the prescribed standards are met during a reinspection and written permission is issued by the FDA.
The statewide action also covered prohibited food articles. In Mumbai, officials seized material worth Rs 31,149 from six pan shops in Dahisar East, Dharavi, Goregaon West and Antop Hill. The department also registered a case in Pune involving stock valued at Rs 3,61,270 and a vehicle valued at Rs 2 lakh. Five offences were registered during the action.
The FDA has directed food business operators to obtain required product approvals, include the relevant food categories in their licences and stop using or selling rejected ingredients. It has also emphasised the segregation of raw and ready-to-eat food, temperature monitoring and maintenance of water-testing records. The department warned that violations could lead to licence suspension or cancellation and criminal proceedings. Consumers can register complaints through the FDA’s toll-free number, 1800 222 365, or its online portal. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe is overseeing the action under the Safe Food Safe Maharashtra drive.
