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The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has initiated an extensive enforcement drive against food adulteration and safety violations across the state ahead of Diwali. During special inspections conducted between October 15 and November 3, regulatory authorities inspected 3,332 establishments, issued 1,501 improvement notices, suspended 326 licences, and cancelled 15 licences. Food stocks amounting to 1,886.44 metric tonnes with an estimated value of ₹44.37 crore were seized statewide, while testing personnel collected 3,864 food samples to check quality compliance during the peak festive season.
Extensive Inspections Target Mumbai and State Supply Chains
Enforcement teams covered every tier of the food distribution network, inspecting dairy processors, sweet manufacturers, bakeries, street vendors, caterers, supermarkets, and digital delivery platforms. Officials scrutinized essential operational standards, including kitchen cleanliness, cold-chain infrastructure, storage temperatures, and valid licensing under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The drive targeted dairy items highly vulnerable to seasonal adulteration, specifically khava, milk, paneer, and ghee, alongside investigations into the unlawful reuse of cooking oil and the chemical ripening of fruits using calcium carbide.
In Mumbai alone, enforcement squads carried out 1,037 inspections, which led to 583 improvement notices and 76 licence suspensions. Authorities in the city collected 438 samples for laboratory analysis and confiscated 28.745 metric tonnes of food stocks valued at around ₹1.01 crore. Officials explained that the heightened vigilance was necessary to prevent fraudulent manufacturing practices during a period of surging consumer demand.
Scrutiny Over Adulterated Silver Foil and Gold Sweets
Authorities also addressed common deceptive practices, including the substitution of edible silver leaf with toxic aluminium foil on festive sweets. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe noted a preliminary manual check for consumers, explaining that authentic silver foil rolls into a small metallic pellet when rubbed between the fingertips, though definitive verification requires laboratory analysis. The department warned that counterfeit coatings pose direct health hazards and mislead buyers regarding product standards.
The regulator further expanded its investigation to evaluate high-end marketing claims in the state. Mundhe confirmed that a dedicated inspection team was sent to verify claims made by an Amravati sweet shop selling gold-plated sweets priced at ₹24,000 per kilogram. The commissioner clarified that while the sale of gold-coated sweets may be permitted if genuine gold is verified and food safety standards are satisfied, regulatory action will be initiated if testing reveals misleading claims or ingredient violations.
Public Caution Urged on Spoilage and Artificial Colours
Alongside commercial enforcement, the FDA issued advisories asking consumers to exercise discretion when buying sweets during the festival. Buyers were advised to steer clear of products displaying unusually vibrant or unnatural shades, which often point to excessive or unauthorized chemical colouring. The administration also cautioned against consuming sweets that possess a sour odour, an unusually sticky consistency, or visible fungal growth indicating improper storage and decomposition.
Food business operators across Maharashtra have been instructed to follow statutory hygiene, handling, and cold-storage rules to prevent consumer health risks. With festive demand placing pressure on manufacturing pipelines, the FDA confirmed that market surveillance, sample testing, and regulatory inspections will continue across Maharashtra to penalize non-compliant businesses and ensure safe, properly labelled food reaches the public.
