Maharashtra FDA conducts raids across cities, seizes banned and adulterated items worth Rs 40 lakh; 33 arrested for selling gutka

Mumbai/Thane: In a major crackdown carried out over three days across the state, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) raided around 100 retail and manufacturing units and seized banned items such as gutka, adulterated milk and ghee, worth over Rs 40 lakh, and also found food items being prepared in unhygienic conditions.

“We have registered 25 FIRs and 33 persons have been arrested for selling gutka, and goods worth Rs 21 lakh have been seized,” said an FDA press release. The raids were carried out in Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions on May 25, 26 and 27.

State FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said, “Strict criminal action will be taken against those who play with health.”

Officials said that in Dharavi, they found a manufacturing facility making noodles in violation of labelling rules. In Jalgaon, the teams found a person preparing artificial milk by mixing edible oil with cow’s milk. In Pune, mangoes were being grown using chemicals.

The raids focused on gutka, with FDA inspectors finding that 34 of the 53 establishments they inspected were selling gutka, pan masala and similar prohibited food items. Of these, 19 establishments were in Mumbai.

Another 23 establishments were inspected, with the FDA teams seizing over 60 items, including packaged drinking water, milk and noodles, worth Rs 28 lakh.

In Thane district, six people were arrested for selling banned food products, like gutka and scented tobacco, and raids were carried out at 13 establishments allegedly selling adulterated ghee, toddy, noodles and edible oil, among others, collectively worth over Rs 7.3 lakh.

“Some of the products like toddy had alleged intoxicants added, while a few local farsan and sherbet units were manufacturing products in unhygienic conditions. The majority of the raided units stocked products that flouted the packaging and labelling norms, among other violations. Samples have been sent to the labs, following which action will be taken,” said an official.

Citizens are urged to report complaints regarding food quality to FDA’s toll-free number 1800-222-2365.