Ganeshotsav: Maharashtra FDA seizes 6.34 lakh kg of suspected adulterated food

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized more than 6.34 lakh kg of suspected adulterated food worth ₹9.76 crore during a Statewide special drive conducted amid Ganeshotsav between September 1 and 23, 2026, officials said.

The drive, which covered 3,068 food establishments across Maharashtra, was undertaken to prevent unsafe and adulterated sweets, dairy products, edible oils and fasting foods from reaching consumers during the festival season. Authorities issued improvement notices to 1,506 establishments, suspended the licences of 248 establishments for serious violations and cancelled another 12 licences.

Officials collected 2,423 samples of sweets, khoa, dairy products, edible oils and fasting foods for laboratory analysis. On suspicion of adulteration, the FDA seized 6,34,362 kg of food stock valued at approximately ₹9.76 crore. Further legal action will be initiated against food found to be unsafe or substandard once laboratory reports are received, the FDA said.

Nashik division accounted for the largest seizure, with around 4.43 lakh kg of suspected food stock worth ₹6.23 crore being confiscated. Konkan division recorded 1.25 lakh kg of seizures worth ₹1.54 crore, while Pune division accounted for 46,266 kg worth ₹1.52 crore. In Brihanmumbai, officials collected 88 samples and seized 4,203.55 kg of suspected food stock worth ₹16.24 lakh.

The FDA said the special drive was undertaken because demand for products such as modak, pedha, khoa, paneer, ghee, milk, curd, edible oil and dry fruits rises sharply during festivals, along with fasting foods including bhagar, sabudana, and rajgira. The surge in demand increases the risk of adulterated or unsafe products entering the market, it said.

As part of the enforcement mechanism, the FDA has also launched a dedicated “Festival Enforcement Portal” to implement a standing order covering festivals throughout the year. The portal sets timelines for inspections, monitoring, public awareness and legal action beginning 21 days before a festival and continuing for 30 days afterwards. It also allows festival organisers to provide information about community food distribution online.

During Ganeshotsav, 3,198 Ganesh mandals across Maharashtra submitted online applications for organising bhandaras, annachhatras and mahaprasad distribution. Food Safety Officers subsequently carried out risk-based inspections at 383 locations, checking cooking areas, drinking water, raw materials, food storage and hygiene practices among food handlers.

The FDA also filed 455 cases under Section 69 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, during the drive. Of these, 398 were disposed of and penalties totalling ₹53.60 lakh were recovered. Pune division recorded the highest number of cases at 176, followed by Konkan at 133.

The department said enforcement was primarily being directed at production units, mills, khoa markets, cold storages, warehouses and wholesale markets so that suspected unsafe food could be intercepted before reaching consumers, without disrupting religious ceremonies or food distribution at festival venues.

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe asked citizens to purchase sweets, prasad and fasting foods only from licensed establishments and to check licence details and bills. Mandals organising food distribution during Navratri, Durgotsav and other upcoming festivals have also been asked to inform the designated FDA officer at least seven days in advance and use licensed caterers.