3 weeks ago
Maharashtra FDA Chief Denies Bias Allegations, Bans Analogue Paneer
There is a man named Tukaram Mundhe who is in charge of making sure food sold in the state of Maharashtra is safe to eat.
A big court called the Bombay High Court said his team was not being fair, because they were strict with private restaurants but easy on government ones.
Mr. Mundhe said, 'No, that is not true,' and that there is no discrimination.
He also said the court has actually praised his team.
He announced that a fake kind of cheese called analogue paneer, which is not made from milk, cannot be made or sold for one whole year.
His team checked more than 3,000 places that make and sell food in about two months.
They took away food worth a huge amount of money because it was not safe.
Mr. Mundhe said they only stop restaurants from working when people could get very sick.
Some lab workers complained about working in two shifts, but Mr. Mundhe said the lab needs to work that way and people who do not like it can leave.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe denied allegations of biased action, saying, 'Absolutely not. There is no discrimination.'
The Bombay High Court had rapped the FDA for 'partial' treatment against private food businesses and leniency towards government-run ones.
Mundhe announced a one-year ban on the production, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue (non-dairy) paneer.
Between May 25 and July 31, the FDA inspected 3,137 food establishments, issued 764 improvement notices, suspended 165 licences, and seized 28.6 lakh kg of food stock worth Rs 55.72 crore.
Mundhe defended the two-shift system at FDA laboratories, saying employees who do not want to work as required are free to leave.
- Who
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, responding to the Bombay High Court and FDA laboratory employees.
- What
- Mundhe denied the High Court's allegations of biased and partial FDA action and announced a one-year ban on analogue (non-dairy) paneer.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- When
- Days after the Bombay High Court's remarks; the enforcement data covers May 25 to July 31.
- Why
- In response to the Bombay High Court's criticism of the FDA's enforcement actions and in the interest of public food safety.
Bombay High Court / Complaining Employees
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
FDA impartiality in enforcement
Bombay High Court / Complaining Employees
The Bombay High Court said the FDA showed 'partial' treatment against private food business operators and leniency towards government-run ones, and appeared to extend 'VIP treatment' to certain establishments during raids.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
Mundhe said 'Absolutely not. There is no discrimination,' claimed he did not see the VIP treatment in any order, said the court has in fact appreciated the FDA, and added suspensions were issued only where there was a likelihood of grave danger to public health.
Laboratory two-shift system
Bombay High Court / Complaining Employees
Some FDA laboratory employees complained to the state government about the two-shift working system.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe
Mundhe defended the system, noting the laboratory operates in two eight-hour shifts six days a week, could go 24x7 if required, and said employees unwilling to work as required are free to leave.
Key facts
- FDA Commissioner
- Tukaram Mundhe
- High Court allegation
- Partial treatment against private food operators; leniency and 'VIP treatment' for some establishments
- Key announcement
- One-year ban on production, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue (non-dairy) paneer
- Enforcement period
- May 25 to July 31
- Food establishments inspected
- 3,137 (764 improvement notices; 165 licences suspended)
- Food stock seized
- 28.6 lakh kg worth Rs 55.72 crore
- Hotels, restaurants, dhabas
- 890 inspections; 329 improvement notices; 116 licences suspended
- FDA lab working hours
- Two eight-hour shifts, six days a week; may operate 24x7 if required
Quotes
Tukaram Mundhe
Commissioner of Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration
““Where is it? I didn’t see it in any order. The court has, in fact, appreciated the FDA.””
indianexpress.com
““Absolutely not. There is no discrimination.””
indianexpress.com
Sources
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