The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) destroyed 564 litres of milk during inspections across Mumbai on October 23 and 24, initiating action against several dairies for violating food safety norms.
The drive was part of a statewide crackdown in which approximately 43.56 tonnes of food stock were seized, while 719.2 litres of milk and ghee were seized or destroyed. The FDA pegged the total value of the action at ₹1.56 crore.
The inspections targeted suspected adulteration, substandard food products, improper labelling, unhygienic storage conditions and prohibited food items. Separately, licences or registrations of seven Mumbai establishments were suspended over serious food safety violations.
Mumbai dairies face action
During inspections in Govandi and Mankhurd, officials destroyed 45 litres of suspected substandard loose milk from Sainath Dairy & Farsan Mart in Govandi and 40 litres from Maharana Dairy in Mankhurd. Samples were collected for laboratory analysis, while proceedings were initiated to suspend the registrations of both establishments.
At Agasti Milk Agency in Mankhurd, hygiene and sanitation violations prompted licence suspension proceedings, while legal action was initiated against Yadav Dairy in Govandi East for allegedly operating without a licence.
On October 24, officials inspected Sagar Milk Centre in Antop Hill and found that milk was being stored and sold in plastic bags and cans without adherence to prescribed storage conditions. The FDA destroyed 250 litres of milk valued at ₹11,625 on the spot.
In another operation on October 23, officials destroyed 31 litres of loose cow’s milk from Shakti Dairy in Dharavi and 198 litres from Rahul Milk Centre in Mahim West. Licence suspension proceedings have been initiated against both establishments.
Seven Mumbai establishments lose licences
Separately, the FDA suspended the licences or registrations of Ottoman Cafe in Andheri West, Chacha Eagle Kulfi Falooda in Jogeshwari West, Bharat Canteen in Andheri West, Green Turtle Hospitality in Oshiwara, Atul Tiffin in Byculla, Mumbai Darbar Family Restaurant in Lower Parel and P. B. Enterprises in Sewri West.
Violations included unclean kitchens and drainage systems, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, use of unauthorised food colours and absence of medical certificates for workers.
Prohibited food products seized in Mumbai
In a separate operation on October 22, officials seized prohibited food products worth ₹4.22 lakh from a premises linked to 24-year-old Mukaradali Mulahij Ansari at Nal Bazaar. Seven samples were collected during the inspection.
A case was registered at J.J. Marg police station on October 23 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Major seizures across Maharashtra
The Konkan division recorded seizures of approximately 9.99 tonnes of food products valued at ₹53.55 lakh, including spices, dry fruits and other items suspected of being substandard or incorrectly labelled.
Among the major seizures was 1,487.6 kg of raw asafoetida (hing), valued at ₹22.31 lakh, from Sakhibaba Traders at the APMC market in Vashi. Officials also seized cumin and mustard stocks from Shree Jalaram Spices in Vashi and assorted food products from an establishment in Mahape.
The largest quantity was seized in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, where officials confiscated approximately 26.84 tonnes of food items valued at ₹64 lakh. This included 23.7 tonnes of turmeric powder worth ₹59.50 lakh from Ganraj Industries in Hingoli district on suspicion of adulteration.
In Pune division, officials seized 2.11 tonnes of food products worth ₹7.93 lakh, including 1,337 kg of khoa, being transported along the Pune-Pandharpur road.
Nashik division recorded seizures of 4,069 kg of food products and 62.2 litres of ghee, together valued at₹8.25 lakh. In Nagpur division, 883.3 kg of edible oil worth ₹1.77 lakh was seized from an establishment in Chandrapur district after officials found it stored in reused containers.
Meanwhile, in a separate crackdown on prohibited food products in Pune, officials inspected six establishments on October 22 and seized stock worth ₹19.56 lakh. FIRs were registered against five establishments, seven people were arrested, and five establishments were sealed. Two vehicles valued at ₹11 lakh were also seized.
In Nashik division, prohibited food products worth ₹19,090 were seized, with one FIR registered and one person arrested.
The FDA said enforcement drives would continue to ensure compliance with food safety standards and urged citizens to report violations through its toll-free helpline, 1800222365, or online grievance portal.