6 days ago
Maharashtra FDA Unveils Festival Food Safety Plan and Warnings
Maharashtra’s food safety department is making a year-long plan to check food during festivals.
It will look more closely at foods such as sweets, milk products, oils, spices and snacks when demand is high.
Inspectors will check whether food sellers have licences and follow safety rules.
These rules apply to small street vendors and large hotels alike.
They also apply to food served at schools, anganwadis, mahaprasad events and bhandaras.
Since May 25, inspectors have checked more than 3,100 food businesses.
The department has suspended 165 licences and issued about 450 improvement notices.
Officials are also checking meals supplied to schools and midday-meal programmes.
People are being advised to eat high-fat, salty and sugary foods only in small amounts.
Maharashtra’s FDA is preparing separate food-safety measures before, during and after the festive season.
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said a 12-month calendar will target adulteration risks around specific festivals and food categories.
Since May 25, the FDA has inspected more than 3,100 food businesses and suspended 165 licences.
The rules apply equally to street vendors, restaurants, hotels, government facilities, mahaprasad and bhandara meals.
Mundhe urged people to limit high-fat, salty and sugary foods and avoid overeating during festivals.
- Who
- Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, is carrying out the enforcement plan.
- What
- The FDA is creating a festival-specific, 12-month food-safety and anti-adulteration monitoring plan.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including food businesses, schools, anganwadis, central kitchens and other establishments.
- When
- The announcement was reported on August 27, 2026; enforcement measures are planned before, during and after festivals.
- Why
- To prevent food adulteration, ensure only licensed operators supply food and focus inspections on high-risk categories during periods of increased demand.
Key facts
- FDA commissioner
- Tukaram Mundhe
- Statewide action began
- May 25
- Food businesses inspected
- More than 3,100
- Licences suspended
- 165
- Improvement notices issued
- Around 450
- School and anganwadi inspections
- At least twice a year
- HFSS guidance
- Limit high-fat, salty and sugary foods
Quotes
Tukaram Mundhe
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner
“Whether it is street food, a restaurant, a five-star hotel or a three-star hotel does not matter. I don’t discriminate in any food serving establishments. We go as per the regulations and standards. The food has to be safe and the prescribed processes have to be followed,”
news18.com
“We are putting the system in place for the festive season. Wait for a day or two; you will get that order. We are ensuring that nothing untoward happens. It is not about any particular festival, but more about only licence holders should get to make and supply food,”
news18.com
Sources
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