2 weeks ago
Maharashtra FDA crackdown seals Pune Burger King over hygiene lapses
Some grown-ups have a very important job: making sure the food we eat is clean and safe.
These food inspectors visited shops, restaurants, and even delivery kitchens in the state of Maharashtra to check for dirt and germs.
They found some places that were not clean enough.
In one shop, they found cockroaches sitting on racks where food packets were kept.
Because of this, some places had to stop selling food, and others had their food-selling permission taken away for a while.
The inspectors also took away food that was old or not safe to eat.
They even found snacks like pan masala and gutkha, which are against the rules, and called the police.
The people who broke the food rules now have to face the consequences.
By checking and punishing bad practices, the inspectors are working to keep our food healthy and safe.
Maharashtra FDA's 'Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra' drive on August 13 inspected 86 establishments, including quick-commerce platforms Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart.
Fourteen food business licences were suspended with immediate effect — five each for Blinkit and Zepto, two for Instamart, and one each for Bhagwati Store and Swinsta ENT Pvt Ltd; cockroaches were found on racks storing food packets at one raided store.
Action targeted outlets including Pune's Camp Burger King, Domino's Pizza and Pizza Hut in Karad, while JBM Hospitality's canteen at HDFC Bank in Wanwadi, Pune, was ordered to stop operations for allegedly functioning without a licence.
The FDA seized 698 kg of milk products worth Rs 34,302 and 1,270 kg of other food items, with the total value of seized goods put at Rs 46,89,603.
In a separate crackdown on banned pan masala and gutkha, the FDA registered 10 FIRs, arrested nine people and seized banned stock worth Rs 46.76 lakh.
- Who
- Maharashtra FDA officials, led by Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, inspected food businesses; action targeted outlets including Burger King, Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart.
- What
- A statewide food-safety crackdown that suspended licences, ordered operations stopped, issued notices, seized goods and registered FIRs over hygiene and banned-product violations.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including Pune (Camp), Lonavala, Kolhapur, Sangli, Karad, Ghatkopar and Lokhandwala.
- When
- During a special drive on August 13, with Pune division inspections carried out between August 11 and August 14.
- Why
- To ensure compliance with hygiene and food safety standards after significant hygiene deficiencies and food safety violations were found.
Key facts
- Campaign
- 'Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra'
- Special drive date
- August 13
- Establishments inspected
- 86 in the special drive; 109 hotels, restaurants and dhabas
- Licences suspended
- 14 with immediate effect in the special drive; 16 in the Pune division (Aug 11-14)
- Improvement notices
- 60 in the special drive; 49 to hotels, restaurants and dhabas
- Total value of seized goods
- Rs 46,89,603
- Banned products action
- 10 FIRs, 9 arrests, banned stock worth Rs 46.76 lakh seized
- Quick-commerce audit scores
- Blinkit Ghatkopar 46% (34/74); Zepto Lokhandwala 47% (65/140)
Sources
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