The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has started a comprehensive inspection initiative across the entire state targeting cold storages holding various food items. The inspection was taken up after being instructed by Dharamraobaba Atram, Minister of Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra, and Abhimanyu Kale, Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration.
Recently a raid was conducted in Thane Zone – 4, as Food Safety Officials (FSOs) inspected Amar Universal Pvt. Ltd. The raid was led by FSO B C Vasave along with FSO P S Pawar, S S Khatawkar, and I N Chilwante, the operation resulted in the confiscation of 287,851 kilogram of various food items. The estimated value of the seized goods amounted to Rs 30,674,960.
Gaurav Jagatap, assistant commissioner (Food), Food and Drug Administration, Thane, said, “The action was initiated due to concerns over unlabelled, misbranded, and potentially substandard products. Chavli, Rajama and Almond Kernel are expired and Star Aniseed suspected to be substandard.”
The range of seized food articles comprised of substantial quantity of Chavli, with variations including 3,764 kg (Rs 311,600), 2,452 kg (Rs 6,899,600), 1,805 kg (Rs 5,126,600), 2,232 kg (Rs 11,992,100), and 6,864 kg (Rs 3,367,100). Additionally, Rajama weighing 5,933 kg (Rs 514,760) was among the seized items. Furthermore, Almond Kernel (95,738 kg) valued at Rs 222,200 and Star Aniseed (4,264 kg) worth Rs 2,373,000 were confiscated.