Pune, August 11: In a significant crackdown ahead of the festive season, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended the licenses of 12 hotels, restaurants, and bakeries in Pune and Sangli due to unsanitary conditions and violations of food safety regulations. The action also included the seizure of approximately ₹1.49 lakh worth of sweet mawa.
Under the ‘Safe Food, Safe Drug, Safe Maharashtra’ initiative, inspections were carried out from August 1 to 10, following directives from Maharashtra’s Food Safety Commissioner, Tukaram Mundhe. The FDA team conducted surprise checks at various establishments, including hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.
The inspections revealed negligence in cleanliness and the storage of expired and substandard food items, leading to the immediate suspension of licenses for several establishments. Notable names among those affected include The Lotus Resort in Lonavala, The Masal Foods in Bibvewadi, Huma Bakery in Pimpri-Chinchwad, and New Maharashtra Bakers in Ambegaon Budruk. Additionally, licenses were suspended for Shri Krishna Kirana Stores, Hotel Manzar, Hotel Royal Sagar Beer Bar and Permit Room, Hotel GM Vadewala, Bhosale Sarkar Chinese Center, and Hotel The Master Chef in Miraj.
Between August 1 and 9, the Pune division inspected 19 establishments, resulting in the seizure of banned food items valued at ₹41,38,667. The local police registered cases under the Indian Penal Code, leading to the arrest of 24 individuals. Fourteen food establishments were sealed during the operation, and the FDA confiscated four vehicles worth approximately ₹14.90 lakh for regulatory violations.
On August 10, a joint team from the FDA and Pune Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell-2 inspected a bus at Karni Parking in Kondhwa. The bus, numbered AR.11 E 2001, was found transporting around 598 kilograms of sweet mawa without the necessary food license. The bus also lacked temperature control measures, and the labeling did not comply with food safety regulations. The FDA sent samples for testing and seized the entire quantity of sweet mawa, valued at around ₹1,49,500.
FDA officials have urged hotel, restaurant, and bakery operators to adhere to cleanliness and food safety standards. They emphasized the importance of providing clean drinking water, using food-grade packaging, conducting business with a valid license, and avoiding the reuse of cooking oil.
Consumers can report any complaints regarding food quality or cleanliness to the FDA’s toll-free number 1800222365. The FDA has stated that this inspection campaign will continue in the coming days, with strict action against violators.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 8 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Udaipur Kiran & Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.