Wire Centre
Maharashtra FDA Crackdown: In one of the most aggressive food safety enforcement drives in recent years, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a sweeping statewide crackdown on adulterated, unsafe, and banned food products, triggering panic across the hospitality and food supply chain. Between August 4 and August 6, 2026, authorities executed a coordinated operation across the state, conducting 31 surprise raids, seizing goods worth nearly ₹2.83 crore, and uncovering widespread violations ranging from banned gutkha networks to unhygienic hotel kitchens. The drive also led to 19 FIRs and 22 arrests, marking a major escalation in enforcement action. Officials confirmed that the operation targeted illegal storage, distribution, and sale of banned gutkha-pan masala, dairy adulteration, spices, edible oils, and unsafe packaged food items, alongside intensive inspections of hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries.
Maharashtra FDA Crackdown – Key Highlights of the Statewide Operation
The scale of the drive was significant: 31 coordinated raids were carried out across Maharashtra, resulting in goods worth ₹2,82,99,772 being seized, including banned gutkha and pan masala worth ₹20,29,598. Authorities registered 19 FIRs and arrested 22 individuals, while inspecting 63 food establishments in total. Of these, 38 businesses were issued compliance notices and 7 licenses were suspended statewide, underscoring the breadth of the enforcement action across the state’s food supply chain.
Maharashtra FDA Crackdown – Mumbai Hotspots Under Scanner: 4 Major Food Units Lose FSSAI Licenses
In Mumbai alone, FDA teams inspected multiple hotels, canteens, and restaurants, uncovering severe hygiene lapses and regulatory violations. As a result, four major establishments had their FSSAI licenses suspended with immediate effect: Eat Nino Pvt. Ltd. in Dadar, Jai Maa Kali Dhaba in Andheri, A J Hospitality (House of Maharashtra) in Santacruz, and South India Dosa Corner in Kurla. Inspectors reported unsanitary and contaminated kitchen conditions, the presence of insects and flies in food preparation areas, poor personal hygiene among staff, missing food safety testing records, a lack of mandatory FOSTAC training compliance, rusted and unsafe kitchen equipment, food stored near toilets and waste zones, and open flour storage exposed to contamination. Authorities termed the violations a direct threat to public health, prompting immediate suspension orders.
Maharashtra FDA Crackdown – Shutdown Orders and Statewide Action
Beyond suspensions, the FDA issued cease-operation notices to five additional establishments across Prabhadevi, BKC, Govandi, and select IIT Bombay campus mess units, citing repeated non-compliance and safety risks. A surprise inspection at IIT Bombay, Powai revealed that two hostel mess facilities were operating without valid FSSAI licenses; both were ordered to stop food services immediately, while a third catering service received a corrective compliance notice. At Punjab Grill in Navi Mumbai, inspectors found stagnant water, unhygienic kitchen conditions, and missing mandatory records, resulting in an on-the-spot license suspension. The sweep extended beyond Mumbai as well, with Hotel Roshani & Roshni Sweet Mart in Amravati and The Hangry Panda Kitchen in Nagpur both having their licenses suspended for hygiene and food safety violations.
A parallel enforcement drive targeted the illegal gutkha and pan masala supply chain, leading to arrests and seizures across multiple regions: Mumbai recorded 1 FIR, 1 arrest, and ₹65,236 seized; Konkan saw 1 FIR, 1 arrest, and a shop sealed; Pune recorded 9 FIRs, 9 arrests, 5 units sealed, and 2 vehicles seized; Nashik saw 1 FIR and 2 arrests; Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar recorded 2 FIRs, 2 arrests, and a vehicle seized; and Nagpur saw 5 FIRs, 7 arrests, and a vehicle seized. Apart from banned substances, the FDA also confiscated large quantities of unsafe food items, including milk products, edible oils, spices, and packaged goods — amounting to ₹2.62 crore worth of food items and nearly 3.99 lakh kg of food stock confiscated in total.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated that Maharashtra is adopting a zero-tolerance policy toward food adulteration and violations, emphasizing that any attempt to compromise public health through illegal food practices will face strict legal consequences, and that such statewide enforcement drives will continue in the future. Citizens can report unsafe or suspicious food practices via the FoSCoS Portal, the Food Safety Connect App, the Food & Drug Grievance Portal, or the toll-free helpline 1800-222-365.