Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Mumbai FDA Confirms Branded Watches Given To Blood Donors
Some grown-ups in Mumbai gave blood to help sick people.
After they gave blood, the people who arranged the camp gave some of them watches as gifts.
A government group called the FDA checks on food and medicines.
It heard that watches were given as gifts and started asking questions.
There is a rule that says blood donation camps should not give gifts to people who donate.
The people who organised the camp said they did not give any gifts.
But the FDA talked to the donors, and the donors said they did get watches.
The FDA sent the case to another group called the SBTC to decide what to do next.
The organisers might get in trouble because giving gifts at blood camps is against the rules.
Mumbai's state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that branded watches were distributed to blood donors at a Mumbai blood donation camp and referred the case to the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) for action.
The camp was organised on April 9 by the Young Star Committee at Altamount Road in association with Sir JJ Hospital and a blood bank linked to the Red Cross/Nair Hospital.
A fresh FDA inquiry found that donors confirmed receiving the watches, contradicting the organisers' earlier written statement that no gifts or prizes had been distributed.
The inquiry followed a complaint filed through the Aaple Sarkar portal on April 18 and a subsequent news report on the issue.
The FDA cited National Blood Transfusion Council guidelines stating that offering gifts or inducements to donors is inappropriate; violators of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 may face regulatory action.
- Who
- Mumbai's state Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC), the Young Star Committee, Sir JJ Hospital, and blood donors at a Mumbai donation camp.
- What
- The FDA confirmed that branded watches were distributed to blood donors at a donation camp and referred the case to the SBTC for action, contradicting the organisers' earlier denial.
- When
- The camp was held on April 9; a complaint was filed through the Aaple Sarkar portal on April 18.
- Where
- Altamount Road, Mumbai.
- Why
- Offering gifts or inducements to blood donors is considered inappropriate under National Blood Transfusion Council guidelines and is a possible violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
- Event
- Distribution of branded watches to blood donors at a Mumbai blood donation camp
- Camp date
- April 9
- Location
- Altamount Road, Mumbai
- Organiser
- Young Star Committee, with Sir JJ Hospital and a blood bank linked to Red Cross/Nair Hospital
- Complaint filed
- April 18 via the Aaple Sarkar portal
- Regulatory action
- Case referred to the State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC)
- Rules cited
- National Blood Transfusion Council guidelines; Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
- SBTC Director
- Dr Suhas Mohnalkar (unavailable for comment)