Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Maharashtra FDA chief: goal is voluntary compliance, not crackdowns
In India, there is a special team called the FDA that makes sure the food people buy is safe to eat.
The person in charge of this team in the state of Maharashtra is Tukaram Mundhe.
His team has been very busy lately, checking more than 3,000 shops and restaurants that make or sell food.
Some of these places got warnings, and about 160 of them were told to stop selling food for a while.
Mr. Mundhe says the goal is not to keep punishing people.
He wants food makers to follow the safety rules by themselves, without needing to be checked.
The team keeps a close eye on things like milk, meat, and cooking oil.
If a shop keeps breaking the rules, it could be closed down forever.
Mr. Mundhe also says taking or giving a bribe is against the law, and everyone should read their food labels carefully.
He hopes the system will stay strong even after he is no longer in charge.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the intensified enforcement drive ultimately aims for voluntary compliance, so routine crackdowns are no longer required.
The FDA has inspected over 3,000 establishments in the last two months, issued improvement notices to more than 700, and suspended around 160 licences.
High-risk food categories, including milk and milk products, meat and edible oils, are the focus of enforcement, which is adjusted by consumption patterns and seasons.
Mundhe warned that repeat offenders could face licence cancellation and closure, and that hiring former FDA officials, lawyers or consultants will not shield violators from action.
The FDA is moving toward automation and digital systems, including digitised grievance mechanisms, to institutionalise enforcement beyond any single officer, with zero tolerance for bribery.
- Who
- Tukaram Mundhe, Commissioner of the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- What
- Discussed the intensified food-safety enforcement drive, in which over 3,000 establishments have been inspected, and stated his goal of moving from crackdowns to voluntary compliance.
- When
- The enforcement drive covers the last two months; the article reports an exclusive interview, with no specific date given.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To protect public health, enforce food-safety regulations under the Food Safety and Standards Act framework, and build a sustainable compliance culture.
- Regulator
- Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Establishments inspected (2 months)
- Over 3,000
- Improvement notices issued
- More than 700
- Licences suspended
- Around 160
- High-risk food categories
- Milk and milk products, meat, edible oils
- Action for repeat offenders
- Licence cancellation and closure
- Bribery stance
- Zero tolerance; giver and taker both treated as criminals