The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra is currently running an expansive, high-intensity campaign against food safety violations throughout the state. The driving force behind the unprecedented scale and speed of these enforcement measures is the newly appointed FDA Commissioner and seasoned IAS officer, Tukaram Mundhe.

In a massive, coordinated push designed to protect public health, Mundhe launched a sweeping enforcement initiative across Maharashtra on May 25th—the very day he officially assumed office as Food Commissioner. Under his direct command, FDA teams have relentlessly executed raids and strict inspections across various hotels, restaurants, and local eateries. These operations have led to the large-scale seizure of substandard food items, the confiscation of contaminated materials, and the immediate cancellation of operational licenses.

Regarding these ongoing enforcement measures, Mundhe clarified the department's position in an official statement: “We will continue our action will continue on establishments not following the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms. Citizens also should be aware of the norms and keep a close watch on hygiene standards,”

The multi-layered operations have systematically targeted hotels, local restaurants, open eateries, complex milk supply networks, illegal tobacco distributions, and even critical blood banking facilities. The following is a detailed breakdown of the comprehensive actions taken by the FDA under Mundhe’s leadership over the past couple of months to guarantee absolute food safety and safeguard public health.

Uncovering a Massive Synthetic Dairy Production Network

Right from his very first day in office, Mundhe directed a highly stringent enforcement of food safety rules across the entire state-wide milk supply chain. He strongly emphasized to his teams that milk is far more than just a consumer food product; it serves as an essential, irreplaceable source of daily nutrition for vulnerable populations, including young children, nursing mothers, hospital patients, and senior citizens.

Acting on these directives, the FDA teamed up with local police forces to successfully bust a massive, sophisticated milk adulteration network that was operating out of the Bhoom taluka region within the Dharashiv district. In this specific hub, operators were manufacturing low-quality synthetic milk on a massive, commercial scale.

During the targeted raid, investigators seized official sales registers and internal records. Upon close examination, officials discovered that approximately 230,470 kilograms of low-grade, low-quality milk powder had been actively used by the network over the preceding six months. Based on chemical processing formulas, investigators estimate that this specific volume of powder was more than enough to manufacture nearly 23,04,070 litres of completely synthetic milk, carrying a market valuation of about ₹9.21 crore.

The operational details uncovered by investigators revealed that toxic components, including common detergent powder, palm oil, and various low-grade chemical powders, were routinely mixed into the synthetic milk. These chemicals were added specifically to mimic the visual appearance of genuine dairy products and artificially maintain the required fat content. Medical experts have issued urgent warnings regarding these practices, noting that regular consumption of this chemical mixture can result in severe, long-term damage to the human liver, kidneys, and digestive system, with the highest risks posed to developing children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

The investigation further revealed a deeply concerning mixing ratio: the operators were blending roughly 10 litres of this synthetic mixture into every 100 litres of pure milk. By applying this specific ratio to the total volume of raw materials used, state officials suspect that more than 2.3 crore litres of heavily adulterated milk may have been successfully distributed from local milk collection centres in the Bhoom region to multiple major cities and markets across Maharashtra. This major enforcement action has already led to a noticeable reduction in the local supply of fresh milk and paneer in several affected regional markets.

Major Seizure of Contaminated Prasad in Shirdi

Moving into June 2026, the FDA carried out a highly sensitive, major enforcement operation in the holy town of Shirdi, acting under the direct guidance and specific orders of Commissioner Mundhe. During this targeted drive, department officials successfully seized and destroyed approximately 700 kilograms of adulterated, low-quality peda that was being prepared and sold near the highly revered Sai Baba temple complex.

Before launching the full-scale raids, the FDA had quietly collected multiple samples of the prasad pedas for formal lab testing. The scientific results conclusively revealed that the popular dessert did not meet the state's mandatory quality and safety standards.

Immediately following the lab confirmation, department officials mobilized to execute sudden raids and thorough physical inspections at multiple prominent prasad selling centres and distribution supply units operating across Shirdi. All recovered batches of the adulterated prasad were systematically confiscated and destroyed on-site to prevent public consumption. Concurrently, the state authorities initiated formal legal proceedings against the specific business owners and individuals involved in the production chain.

Statewide Enforcement and Shutdowns of Food Businesses

Building further momentum, the FDA under Mundhe’s leadership initiated a coordinated, statewide crackdown spanning July 7th and July 8th, during which specialized teams inspected 16 prominent hotels, restaurants, and roadside dhabas. Based on the immediate structural and sanitary findings of these inspections, the department issued formal improvement notices to 10 separate establishments and instantly suspended the operating licenses of the remaining venues.

Among the high-profile actions taken during this two-day drive was the immediate suspension of the operating license of one of Mumbai’s most famous historical eateries: M/s. K. Rustom & Co (Rodabe K. Irani). Located at the Brabourne Stadium House in Churchgate, the iconic ice cream parlour had its operations halted under the stringent provisions of Section 32(3) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The sudden suspension order followed an intensive inspection that uncovered severe, non-compliant hygiene conditions and major food safety violations, which included a clear failure to meet basic milk fat compliance levels.

Simultaneously, in the city of Nagpur, the FDA issued an immediate license suspension to the well-known establishment M/s. Shri Heera Sweets Pvt. Ltd. This drastic measure was taken after on-site inspectors discovered a dead rat lying directly next to the active, ongoing food production line. In a separate regional action, a local hotel named Hotel Patilwada, located in Dhule, faced total license suspension after inspectors discovered the business was operating entirely without a valid food business license, a direct violation of state regulations.

Only a few days later, the FDA extended its strict enforcement drive to Mumbai's central culinary districts, suspending the licenses of three highly popular, landmark restaurants: Noor Mohammadi, Shalimar, and Rahmania. Senior FDA officials noted that all three establishments had previously been given formal opportunities to correct their operational issues and comply with state regulations, but they had fundamentally failed to do so.

• Shalimar Restaurant: Investigators documented wet, hazardous, and slippery kitchen floors, a total absence of official raw material procurement records, and a failure to maintain updated drinking water quality reports. Furthermore, the venue maintained no records regarding edible oil quality, showed improper segregation practices between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items, and left multiple open kitchen windows entirely without insect-proof mesh screens. The restaurant had failed to implement any real changes after previously receiving an official warning notice following an initial inspection in April.
• Noor Mohammadi: Officials documented thick, accumulated layers of black grease on the kitchen floors directly adjacent to the busy kebab preparation section. The team also observed wide-open windows, uncovered areas of peeling wall paint, heavy grease deposits on the kitchen walls and ceilings, and highly unhygienic raw material storage areas. Additionally, the venue was missing mandatory supplier records, utilized old, unclean utensils, lacked updated drinking water testing documentation, and failed to maintain the adequate drainage systems required for effective pest control.
• Rahmania Restaurant: The investigative team discovered inadequate and disorganized storage arrangements where food items, toxic cleaning chemicals, and raw packaging materials were kept in close proximity. The kitchen doors lacked proper insect-proofing, and the core kitchen equipment was heavily rusted and of poor material quality. Inspectors also highlighted peeling paint and crumbling plaster across the facility's walls and ceilings, alongside a total absence of mandatory food testing data and certified drinking water quality records.

Aggressive Tracking and Seizure of Contraband Tobacco Products

Expanding the regulatory drive well beyond standard food products and everyday dairy items, Mundhe has also initiated a relentless, punitive campaign against the sale and distribution of Gutkha (a heavily restricted, chewable tobacco product).

As a core part of this ongoing anti-contraband campaign, specialized FDA enforcement squads conducted synchronized raids at approximately 904 distinct locations spread across the state of Maharashtra, leading to the confiscation of large volumes of illegal tobacco products. In a major regional bust executed in Amravati, FDA officials successfully intercepted and seized banned pan masala and scented tobacco shipments with an estimated street value of ₹55 lakh, a seizure that included the heavy commercial truck being used for the illicit transportation.

Rigorous Quality Audits of Regional Medical Blood Centers

In a highly critical, statewide action targeting medical blood banks failing to comply with statutory health protocols, the FDA executed rigorous inspections and stringent legal actions against 23 major blood centres and 15 specialized blood storage centres between the months of April and June. This medical audit resulted in the suspension of 21 blood bank licenses and the permanent cancellation of two others. Concurrently, 13 blood storage facilities saw their operations suspended, while two separate storage licenses were permanently cancelled.

Out of the 21 suspended blood centres, 10 are located within the Pune district alone. This list includes the high-volume Metro Blood Bank, alongside busy regional centres located at Dehu Road, Mangalwar Peth, Shirur, and Rasta Peth. Furthermore, essential blood storage units operating in Vishrantwadi, Lohegaon, Uruli Kanchan, Daund, Junnar, and Shivajinagar faced immediate operational suspensions. As a direct result of this focused crackdown, the primary operating license of the Metro Blood Bank located at the Aundh District Hospital (ADH) was officially suspended by the FDA.

Addressing the media regarding these heavy regulatory actions against non-compliant medical facilities, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe stated unequivocally that the department will maintain continuous, strict surveillance over all blood centres and storage facilities.

In a formal address outlining the high stakes of these operations, Mundhe stated: “Blood is not an ordinary drug but a life-saving necessity. Providing citizens with safe and quality blood and blood components that meet prescribed standards is the highest responsibility of the FDA. Blood centres and blood storage centres must strictly comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the rules framed under it. The FDA is committed to protecting public health through continuous surveillance and action against centres violating the rules,”

While citizens across the state have expressed surprise at the FDA’s sudden vigilance and unprecedented level of daily enforcement against food adulteration since Mundhe took charge, the ongoing campaign is increasingly viewed by public health experts as a model initiative. This rigorous approach may set a positive, long-term example for other Indian states looking to prioritize food safety, transparent business ethics, and public health infrastructure.