Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Maharashtra FDA Chief Rejects Celebrity Focus, Stresses Food Safety
Tukaram Mundhe leads Maharashtra’s food safety department.
He said people should focus on the department’s work rather than on him personally.
He wants the department to build strong systems that continue working even when officers change.
His main goal is to help people get safe food.
He also wants to encourage healthier eating habits.
Mundhe said inspections and enforcement information should be shared fairly and openly.
Reporters asked whether he might be transferred again.
He replied that the government authority responsible for transfers would decide, and that he would continue serving the public.
Tukaram Mundhe said he is a public official, not a celebrity.
He said Maharashtra’s food regulator must rely on strong systems, not individual officers.
Mundhe identified safe food and healthier dietary practices as his main priorities.
He said the department supports fairness, transparency and public access to enforcement details.
Regarding transfer speculation, Mundhe said only the competent authority can make that decision.
- Who
- Tukaram Mundhe, Joint Secretary and Commissioner of the Maharashtra FDA.
- What
- Mundhe discussed food safety, institutional reform, transparency, public service and speculation about his transfer.
- When
- At a Meet the Press event; the article does not state the date.
- Where
- The event was organised by the Mumbai Press Club.
- Why
- He said his priority is to ensure safe food for people in Maharashtra and strengthen systems within the regulator.
- Official
- Tukaram Mundhe is the Joint Secretary and Commissioner of the Maharashtra FDA.
- Main priority
- Ensuring safe food for people in Maharashtra.
- Additional focus
- Promoting healthier dietary practices.
- Governance approach
- Mundhe said effective enforcement should depend on strong systems and collective work rather than one officer.
- Transparency
- The department said it is committed to sharing inspection and enforcement details with the public.
- Transfer decision
- Mundhe said transfers are decided by the competent authority, not by him.