On Monday, 21 September, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration announced it had revoked the food licence of Suleman Usman Mithaiwala, a well-known sweet shop on Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai, as part of a broader inspection drive targeting food businesses across the state. The initiative, led by the food safety authority under Tukaram Mundhe, has seen licences revoked for 10 food businesses across Mumbai. An FDA inspection of the well-known confectionery outlet reportedly identified potential violations relating to preparation and storage conditions, including insufficient distance from drainage systems, sewage infrastructure, and waste disposal zones. Authorities carried out a targeted compliance sweep from 17 to 20 September, checking that food safety and hygiene requirements were met in advance of the upcoming festival period. Maharashtra FDA representatives explained that the statewide inspection programme targeting supply networks and retail food businesses was launched to help residents obtain unadulterated, safe food products ahead of the festive period, according to an agency statement. Food stocks totalling around 32,023 kg/litres, with an estimated worth of INR 1.36 crore, were confiscated or disposed of at various locations throughout the state. During the holiday enforcement period, authorities seized a range of food items including khoya, mawa, peda, ghee, oil, barfi, dried fruits, jaggery, sweets, and various dairy products. Food safety authorities also confiscated approximately 1,868 kg of turmeric powder at Miraj MIDC, with the consignment flagged for potential quality deficiencies or labelling irregularities, valued at INR 6.53 lakh. Inspection teams covered commercial kitchens, warehouses, and dark stores at various locations throughout the city, documenting hygiene deficiencies and structural irregularities: Insects were additionally discovered in food storage units, while the FDA revoked the operating licence of Sadguru Sweets and Farsan Mart in Malad East over documented hygiene violations and structural shortcomings, alongside action involving Acculogicx Supply Chain Solutions Pvt. Ltd / Amazon Warehouse (Kandivali): The FDA's inspection identified issues with drainage and sanitation infrastructure, as well as damaged floor tiles in the vicinity of drainage and washing zones. Four additional food establishments across Mumbai also had their operating licences withdrawn by the Maharashtra FDA for non-compliance with mandatory hygiene regulations: Go Green Food Hospitality in Ghatkopar East, Swad Snacks Corner in Lalbaug-Parel, Lucknowi Kebab in Versova, and Zaika Moradabadi Hotel in Versova. Food safety authorities stated that inspection teams would carry out unannounced checks throughout the holiday season to address food adulteration and the distribution of substandard products across Maharashtra.
