Maha FDA cancels 25 licenses of food outlets, including Domino’s, 10 FIRs filed, ₹1.73 crore food stock seized, says Mundhe | Today’s news
25 food establishments have come under the radar of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to PTI, the FDA has now canceled the licenses of 25 food restaurants along with four edible oil and spice manufacturing units in a nationwide crackdown. Officials announced the development on Friday.
License revoked for six Domino’s outlets
The list of closed stores includes six Domino’s Pizza outlets in the Pune division, PTI reported.
Measures have also been taken at outlets in Jalna and Parbhani in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, the FDA said.
About 81,330 kg of suspected substandard, adulterated or mislabeled food products worth ₹The food regulator seized 1.73 billion from 37 businesses across six divisions.
Through a press release, the FDA said the seized food products include edible oil, chili and turmeric powders, areca nuts, dry fruits, sabudana, bhagar, rajgira, tea powder and sweets.
“Samples of the seized products have been sent for laboratory analysis. Further legal action will be taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act after receiving the reports,” it added, as quoted by the news agency.
The action against the establishments came after inspections were carried out which revealed breaches of Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011, according to the FDA.
The licenses of seven establishments in Mumbai division and two in Konkan have also been suspended along with eight in Pune and eight in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions.
Besides, numerous hygiene violations were found, including live cockroaches, mold contamination, unclean utensils, improper storage and insufficient separation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, the FDA added.
Read also | Tukaram Mundhe is a ‘rockstar’: Maharashtra FDA Commissioner shares NYT article
Value of food stocks ₹1.73 million seized
A closure notice was also issued to a candy maker in Mumbai due to violations related to its manufacturing premises and its sanitation.
“In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, it is worth 37,251 kg of stock ₹48.40 lakh was seized and the licenses of four units were suspended. Seizures included soybean oil, chili powder, turmeric powder and table salt,” the FDA said.
From Nagpur Division, value of food stocks ₹45.75 lakh were also held, including areca nuts, spices, tea powder and sweets. In the Konkan the value of the seized stock was estimated at ₹31.95 lakh while the Pune division reported seizures worth ₹36.25 lakh, he added. In Nashik Division, the estimated value of the seized items was ₹10.64 crores.
“The FDA also conducted a special drive against banned food products on October 14 and 15. It inspected 13 establishments and vehicles in Mumbai, Pune, Konkan and Nagpur divisions and seized banned stocks worth ₹18.83 lakh along with two vehicles. Total value of secured property exceeded ₹21.83 lakh,” the report also said.
Read also | Tukaram Mundhe denies transfer reports, says he will continue as Maha FDA chief
10 FIR filed
Meanwhile, 10 FIRs have been filed against 10 accused in the matter. Four establishments have been sealed so far.
“Six FIRs were lodged in Pune, six persons were arrested and three businesses were sealed. In Konkan, one person was arrested and one was sealed, while one person was arrested in Nagpur,” it said.
In Mumbai, cases were registered against two in separate operations involving vehicles carrying banned products.
“The department conducts nationwide inspections to prevent the sale, storage and transportation of prohibited food products and to ensure compliance with food safety regulations,” FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said.
