FDA destroys 564 liters of milk in Mumbai; the nationwide crackdown accounted for food stocks worth ₹1.56 million

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) destroyed 564 liters of milk during inspections in Mumbai on October 23 and 24, initiating action against several dairies for violating food safety norms.

The drive was part of a nationwide raid in which around 43.56 tonnes of food was seized and 719.2 liters of milk and ghee were confiscated or destroyed. The FDA pegged the total value of the action at ₹1.56 crore.

Inspections focused on suspected counterfeiting, substandard food products, incorrect labeling, unhygienic storage conditions and prohibited foods. Separately, the licenses or registrations of seven businesses in Mumbai were suspended for serious food safety violations.

Mumbai dairies face action

During inspections at Govandi and Mankhurd, officials destroyed 45 liters of suspected substandard bulk milk from Sainath Dairy & Farsan Mart at Govandi and 40 liters from Maharana Dairy at Mankhurd. Samples were taken for laboratory analysis, and at the same time proceedings were initiated to suspend the registrations of both establishments.

At Agasti Milk Agency in Mankhurd, hygiene and sanitation violations led to license suspension proceedings, while legal proceedings were initiated against Yadav Dairy in Govandi East for allegedly operating without a licence.

On October 24, officials conducted an inspection at Sagar Milk Center in Antop Hill and found that milk was being stored and sold in plastic bags and tins without following the prescribed storage conditions. FDA destroyed 250 liters of milk worth ₹11,625 on the spot.

In another operation on October 23, officials destroyed 31 liters of bulk cow’s milk from Shakti Dairy in Dharavi and 198 liters from Rahul Milk Center in Mahim West. License suspension proceedings were initiated with both facilities.

Seven businesses in Mumbai lose their licences

Separately, the FDA has suspended the licenses 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 PB Enterprises in Sewri West.

Violations included unclean kitchens and sewage systems, improper storage of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, use of unauthorized food dyes and absence of medical certificates for workers.

Prohibited food items seized in Mumbai

In a separate operation on October 22, officials seized banned food products worth ₹4.22 lakh from premises associated with 24-year-old Mukaradali Mulahij Ansari in Nal Bazaar. Seven samples were taken during the inspection.

A case was registered at the JJ Marg police station on October 23 under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Major seizures across Maharashtra

The Konkan division saw the seizure of around 9.99 tonnes of food products worth ₹53.55 lakh, including spices, dry fruits and other items suspected of being substandard or mislabelled.

Among the major seizures were 1,487.6 kg of raw asafoetida (hing), worth ₹ 22.31 lakh, from Sakhibaba Traders at APMC market in Vashi. Officials also seized stocks of cumin and mustard from Shree Jalaram Spices in Vashi and various food products from a business in Mahapa.

The largest amount was seized in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division where officials seized around 26.84 tonnes of food worth ₹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 on the Pune-Pandharpur road.

Nashik division saw the seizure of 4,069 kg of food products and 62.2 liters of ghee, worth a total of ₹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 being stored in reused containers.

Meanwhile, in a separate crackdown on banned food products in Pune, officials inspected six businesses on October 22 and seized stock worth ₹19.56 crore. FIRs were registered against five facilities, seven people were arrested and five facilities were sealed. Two vehicles worth ₹11 crore were also seized.

Prohibited food products worth ₹19,090 were seized in Nashik division, with one FIR registered and one person arrested.

The FDA said enforcement actions will continue to ensure compliance with food safety standards and urged citizens to report violations through the toll-free helpline 1800222365 or the online complaint portal.

Published – 25 Oct 2026 11:41 AM IST